EDINBURGH tourism businesses have attended Scotland’s flagship travel trade event, VisitScotland Connect 2026.
Tourism operators for Edinburgh met face-to-face with domestic and international travel buyers over two days of prearranged meetings at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC).
With more than half of all international visitors planning and booking all or part of their trip through tour operators, strong relationships with the travel trade open access to Scotland’s key markets, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the UK.
The activity generated by VisitScotland Connect helps support approximately 40,000 tourism-related jobs across Edinburgh.
Hotels, attractions, distilleries and tours took part, organised like a “speed dating” experience, with short, one-to-one appointments designed to spark new business relationships. Scottish businesses were given 12 minutes to showcase their experiences before moving on to the next buyer.
Among the businesses attending VisitScotland Connect 2026 was Lost Shore Surf Resort, Scotland’s first inland surf resort which was recently named the best in the world.
Andy Hadden, founder of Lost Shore Surf Resort, said: “This is the stand-out event of the year for us because of its efficient programming.
“It allows for quick and effective dialogue with multiple potential partners and travel buyers, cutting through what could otherwise be weeks of bilateral correspondence, and there’s no better way to form relationships than face-to-face.
“We’re delighted with the range of new connections that we’ve made.”
New businesses attending for their first time were Away from the Ordinary, Norton House Hotel & Spa, InterContinental Edinburgh The George, Journeys Scotland, Maid of the Forth, MEININGER Hotel Edinburgh, National Galleries of Scotland, The Hoxton Edinburgh and The Mount Royal Hotel Edinburgh.
During the event week, VisitScotland hosts a programme of familiarisation trips (fam trips) to allow buyers to experience, first-hand, the visitor experiences Scotland’s regions have to offer.
Among those visited were Moxy Edinburgh Airport, Edinburgh Gin, Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh New Town Cookery School, and Norton House Hotel.
VisitScotland Connect is part of the national tourism organisation’s business and market development activity designed to grow Scotland’s share of global travel in a sustainable way.
The event is part of a year-round approach with Scotland’s key markets to drive sustainable growth in the visitor economy, growing the value of tourism to Scotland and helping Scottish businesses internationalise.
VisitScotland’s regional director, Neil Christison, said: “Throughout the year, our teams work closely with domestic and international tour operators, travel advisors and agents.
“This is vital when more than half of Scotland’s international visitors plan and book their trips through these partners.
“These relationships help shape new tourism products and itineraries, while giving us valuable insight into what global travellers are looking for.
“VisitScotland Connect brings this work to life, giving Edinburgh tourism and events businesses access to buyers they may not otherwise reach.
“The connections made here continue long after the event ends, supporting business growth, strengthening Scotland’s year-round offer, and positioning the country as a responsible destination visitors want to return to.
“VisitScotland Connect is part of our core purpose to drive the visitor economy, growing its value to Scotland, and supporting jobs, businesses and communities.”
The Albatross Group is a group tourism company, specialising in both B2B and B2C group travel across the UK, Ireland and continental Europe.
Rob Ramsay, senior contract manager at the Albatross Group said: “Scotland is a truly special destination. It offers such a rich variety of experiences, from vibrant cities to lochs, islands and landscapes, meaning visitors can return time and again and enjoy something completely different each trip.
“It’s one of our top five performing destinations in Europe and is in very high demand across our markets, including the UK and Australia.”
This year’s VisitScotland Connect also celebrated Scotland’s rich musical heritage. Attendees enjoyed live performances that showcased Scotland’s contemporary and traditional music scene, reinforcing the event’s focus on connecting people, places and experiences, including Drams Ceilidh Band operating primarily across Central Scotland.
