VisitScotland blows it again...

[David Dalglish]

Only what is to be expected from that lot.

[Mr. MacDougall]

Right... so a visit to 'Visit Scotland' is off my list for my visit to Scotland.

[gilmore]

Robertson,

Have you thought about starting your own tourism promotion business?

It's a rather simple thing to publish regularly a small magazine or newspaper paid for by its advertisers, promoting local events and businesses, and distributed at local businesses and other venues. I once ran a small weekly free newspaper. It was one of the most fun jobs I ever had. It does help to have an aggressive and energetic sales staff (paid by commission, of course.) With that, a desktop publishing program, and a printing house and you could be in business.

[beloitpiper]

Robertson,

Have you thought about starting your own tourism promotion business?

It's a rather simple thing to publish regularly a small magazine or newspaper paid for by its advertisers, promoting local events and businesses, and distributed at local businesses and other venues. I once ran a small weekly free newspaper. It was one of the most fun jobs I ever had. It does help to have an aggressive and energetic sales staff (paid by commission, of course.) With that, a desktop publishing program, and a printing house and you could be in business.

I'm sure running a B&B, tasting Scotch, donning kilts, and X-Marking alrady takes up a lot of time, but this sounds like a pretty good idea. Could be a good basement business!

[cessna152towser]

VisitScotland couldn't organise a p#ss up in a brewery. Over here in the Scottish Borders in 2001 visitor numbers were down on previous years, partly due to access to the countryside restrictions during the outbreak of animal foot and mouth disease that year and partly due to terrorist incidents in the USA making travellers more wary of flying. This was used by the local tourism manager as a justification for downgrading many of our tourist attractions, from all year round to open from Easter to end of October only. Even Drumlanrig's Tower and our local tourist office are set to close for the winter in two weeks time, to the bemusement of visitors from all over the world who continue to visit all year round and expect to find a tourist office open to help them find accommodation and facilities. Result, visitor numbers continue to fall. So much so that some of the Borders towns have set up their own go it alone tourist promotions - here in Hawick the Welcome Host scheme, the flags, and a few other initiatives are run by a local group comprised of and funded by local businesses including hoteliers. Looks like its time Dumfries booted out VisitScotland and set up its own tourist promotion group which would have the town and country's interests at heart, rather than just being there to give the manager a fat salary.

[Frank McGrath]

How hard would it be to get the local businesses to start a new tourist agency? Buy a couple of brochure holders and leave them with cab drivers and at the airports. Just an idea!

[beowulf67]

since I was no longer a member of VisitScotland, I was no longer allowed to pick up the free copies of ‘See & Do'....

So are they saying that only paying members can get their free copies of the brochure? Do they have someone selling memberships to tourists that stop by to pick one up?
What a grand money making scheme that must be.

[McClef]

Af course ah dinnae ken whut it taiks tae be a member 'o thus organisation an why ye ah no a member noo Robertson.

Bit seems tae me they ah cuttin their nase tae spite their face!

Whit a bunch 'o knuckleheids!

[starbkjrus]

Well, from what Alex says it's not just the fact that the manager in the Dumfries site hates Americans in kilts (some will remember the episode when Hamish, DWG69 and I went to the Dumfries office during the 2007 Burns Weekend) but that VisitScotland is really failing in it's mission. (Actually, I already knew that from hearing descriptions of how they do business.)

I do have to say that the office was attractive but really wasn't impressed with the staff. Perhaps it IS time for the Dumfries & Galloway council (perhaps in conjunction with The Borders) to set up their own agency. Goodness knows those two districts have huge amounts of sights to see. Maybe David & Helen Dalglish can run an extension office in Carlisle?

I don't have the answer but I can say knowledgeably to anyone traveling DO NOT use Visit Scotland's website as your only resource. Use it as a reference and then one of the "real" travel sites. Often Hotel deals are cheaper using the Hotel's own website.

[Wompet]

I'm sorry to hear that VisitScotland continues to act in such a counter productive way but for heavens sake Robertson - would you PLEASE SPEAK SCOTS??????? - I can hardly understand you!!!!

You know Robertson's mad when he slips into English.

Robertson, good luck getting the situation resolved, either with corrective action within the Visit Scotland office, or by the community.
Just curious - was the Visit Scotland staff member who refused you the free handouts one of the idjits who got chastised after last year's debacle?