Conference boost shows it’s good to talk on Tayside

Courier country has taken a slice of £100 million from a national conference fund set up two years ago.

The VisitScotland Conference Bid Fund has secured 46 international association conferences as far ahead as the year 2021.

The events, set to attract a total of around 62,000 delegates, cover life sciences and education to food, drink and renewable energy.

Dundee, Perth and St Andrews have all benefited.

Speaking in Edinburgh, Scottish Government Tourism Minister, Fergus Ewing said: “The impact of tourism on Scotland’s economy is already hugely successful.

“According to research carried out by Deloitte on behalf of VisitScotland, tourism contributes £11 billion annually to the Scottish economy, supporting the employment of 270,000 people in 20,000 diverse businesses.

“As these latest VisitScotland figures illustrate, business tourism is vital because, as a result of attracting business events, it helps grow the Scottish economy beyond tourism.

“Our tourism sector must continue to be imaginative, innovative and deliver an excellent quality of service and a rich and fulfilling holiday experience for our visitors.”