Wednesday February 1st 2017
The steering group of recent launch of MBTAG at Thirlestane Castle.
Stephen Whitelaw of Digital Tourism Scotland is among the guest speakers at the first event organised by Midlothian and Borders Tourism Action Group (MBTAG). MBTAG was set up earlier this year (2017) to develop the counties’ tourism industries.
The free event is on 21 February at the Peebles Hydro Hotel and is open to all tourism related businesses in Midlothian and the Borders.
Midlothian Council’s cabinet member for economic development Councillor Jim Bryant said: “It’s fantastic the group has managed to pull together such an impressive line-up of speakers in such a short space of time.
“I’m really looking forward to hearing more about how digital technology can have an enormous impact on tourism in the Borders and Midlothian by doing everything from connecting local businesses with customers to using the latest video techniques to bring services to a global marketplace.”
Councillor Stuart Bell, SBC’s Executive Member for Economic Development, said: “With more visitors coming to the Scottish Borders and Midlothian thanks to the Borders Railway, MBTAG was set up with the aim of helping develop businesses to deliver authentic experiences to these tourists.
“The first MBTAG event has a wide variety of speakers offering their knowledge on various digital technology trends, and their advice will prove hugely useful for tourism-related businesses in their efforts to attract more new visitors.”
Stephen Whitelaw will speak about the latest digital marketing and tourism consumer trends.
Also on the agenda is a seminar by Mark Sorsa-Leslie of the Edinburgh-based Bubbal. Bubbal makes it easier to publish hyper-local content and connect with customers, visitors and potential consumers. The firm is currently working with ScotRail to pilot the use of this technology on The Borders Railway.
Dave Bowie and Nick Hyatt of 360 Video Pro will show how simple it is to share 360 degree video in order to truly stand out from competitors while Alan Martin of Chat Marketing will explain the current trends in social media and what they mean for local businesses.
Sign up for the free event HERE.
ngaging with both the wider tourism sector outside of the Borders Railway corridor and businesses along the line, the two year MBTAG project has secured £150,000 from the Borders Railway Blueprint Group, and a further £200,000 from Scottish Enterprise’s Tourism Destination Development Fund to implement the plan.
MBTAG is a private sector led initiative in partnership with Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders Council, Midlothian Tourism Forum, Scottish Borders Tourism Partnership, ScotRail and VisitScotland. MBTAG has pledged to work collaboratively with local businesses over an initial two year period.
Click HERE for more info.
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