Scotland wins £1m adventure travel conference

Nick Henderson , 10 November 2009

Visit Scotland's business tourism unit is anticipating a £1m economic boost when the country hosts the Adventure Travel Trade Association's (ATTA) global annual conference from 4-7 October 2010.

Scotland was chosen ahead of Salta, Argentina, in the final stages of the Seattle-based ATTA's bidding process.

Announcing the win, Visit Scotland said the four-day conference would attract about 500 delegates from 50 countries.

The event, which aims to provide networking and learning opportunities for businesses and government bodies in the adventure-travel market, will take place at Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort in the Cairngorms National Park.

Visit Scotland's business tourism unit marketing manager Catriona Anderson said: "This was made possible only by working in partnership with a vast range of organisations - from the Scottish Government to partners in the tourism industry - which enabled us to put together a high-value, cost-effective event for delegates worldwide."

ATTA president Shannon Stowell added: "Scotland's inventive approaches, understanding of ATTA's short- and long-term goals, and its commitment to our mutual success gave this emerging adventure travel destination the edge."

The contribution of adventure travel to the Scottish economy is valued at £160m.