Janet Redler Travel & Tourism was proud to be one of a number of inbound tour operators to visit Moray Speyside in the North East of Scotland on a UKInbound familiarisation (fam) trip recently.

The beautiful gardens at Gordon Castle

The Discover Moray Speyside event showcased this fabulous region to around 30 of the UK’s most important inbound tour operators, and included visits to Gordon Castle Walled Garden, Johnstons of Elgin and the Speyside Cooperage. This was the first UKInbound Discover event to be held in the region and, in addition to a business to business workshop, buyers enjoyed specially-tailored fam trips as well as networking opportunities.

Gordon Castle

The aim of the event, which was organised by VisitScotland, Moray Speyside Tourism, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and UKInbound, was to raise awareness of Moray Speyside as a destination to be included in tour programmes, as well as offer an opportunity for international buyers to experience the region and meet suppliers who are keen to do business. With Inverness Airport less than 50 minutes’ drive away, the region can be quickly accessed by visitors.

The group stayed at the Mansefield Hotel in Elgin and the fam trips included visits to Boath House, Johnstons of Elgin, a guided walk of ‘Castle to Cathedral to Cashmere’, Gordon Castle and Walled Garden, Ballindalloch Castle and lunch at Delnasheugh, Glen Grant Distillery, Speyside Cooperage, The Craigellachie Hotel and The Station Hotel in Rothes.

Delicious cakes at the Boath House, including the best lemon meringue ever!

Jo Robinson, VisitScotland Regional Director, said: “These very successful fam trips offered an ideal way to allow international tour operators to experience this fantastic and unique region and to meet with local businesses and suppliers who are keen to do business with them. It all helps to raise awareness of Moray Speyside as a visitor destination in its own right, with a strong and diverse tourism offering worthy of being included in tour operator programmes.”

Deirdre Wells, CEO of UKInbound, said: “UKInbound represents nearly 400 tourism businesses all across the UK. One of our key objectives is to help showcase fantastic tourism product to our tour operator members so they, in turn, can keep offering fresh and interesting itineraries to our international visitors. Scotland has so much to offer, from great food and drink, unique attractions and stunning countryside and this Discover event has been the perfect opportunity for our members to experience this first hand.”

Glen Grant Distillery

Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel & Tourism, added: “This was an exceptional fam trip and we enjoyed a very warm welcome and first-class hospitality wherever we went. The Moray Speyside region is a hidden gem, which presents the perfect snapshot of Scotland to visitors, and is well worth discovering, either on a short break or as part of a broader tour of Scotland or the UK.”

If you or your group would like to enjoy a tailor-made tour to Moray Speyside, Scotland or the UK and Ireland, please do contact our friendly team today.