The Southern Uplands Partnership has been working to promote the concept of nature-based tourism for several years. Some progress has been made, especially in Dumfries & Galloway where we have worked with Destination D&G and others to develop Wild Seasons – which has combined marketing of local wildlife-watching events with on-line promotion and some training for businesses and guides (see www.wildseasons.co.uk )

We are now keen to see if this approach can be mirrored in the Scottish Borders.

We are proposing to hold a meeting of those interested in this issue on the 29th August – venue to be confirmed.
The aim of the meeting would be to explain what has been achieved in D&G and to determine what could be done to establish a similar project in the Borders.

10am at the Buccleuch Arms Salmon Room in St Boswells

For more information contact Pip Tabor 01750 725154

WILD SEASONS
More Visitors – when YOU want them.  That’s Wild

Do you need visitors in the autumn and winter?
Do you want to reach one of the fastest growing tourism markets?

If so, read on…

First Some Facts: 

• There are a million tourism trips with the specific purpose of watching nature in Scotland each year
• Over half of visitors to Scotland cite scenery and landscape as the top reason for visiting – a big market for people who will enjoy nature as one of a number of activities
• Off the beaten track and special interest holidays has doubled in recent years
• Two of the three most visited attractions in Dumfries & Galloway are nature sites
• 2013 Year of Natural Scotland is raising national and international awareness of Scotland as a nature tourism destination

What’s Happening in Dumfries & Galloway?

Whilst many people think of the Highlands and Islands as the best place to see wildlife, visitors can see all of Scotland’s “Big Five” (Red Squirrel, Red Deer, Harbour Seal, Otter and Golden Eagle) in Dumfries and Galloway, andDumfries and Galloway is the best place in Scotland to see spectacular flocks of over-wintering geese.

Wild Seasons  is a campaign to attract nature tourists to Dumfries and Galloway throughout the year.
Wild Seasons includes:

• Seasonal festivals – Wild Spring and Wild Autumn
• Consumer marketing campaign
• Training and familiarisation trips to help you market nature tourism
• Advice on how to make your site more attractive to nature tourists
• Information on what to see, where and when
• Nature itineraries you can give to your guests
• Posts, tweets and pins about nature that you can re post, re-tweet and re-pin in your own social media

In short, what you need to become a “Wild Friendly” business

For more information contact Iain Wilson 07818 144766,  Iain@sup.org.uk

ACHIEVING IMPACT WITH COMMUNITY BENEFIT- BOOKING NOW OPEN!

Tuesday, 27 August 2013 from 10:00 to 15:30 at the Catstrand, High Street, New Galloway, DG7 3RL

Keynote Speaker:
Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism

Is your community currently receiving community benefit funds from renewable energy developments, or is it likely to in the future?

Foundation Scotland administers community benefit funds from a number of Scotland’s operational onshore wind farms, in partnership with local communities and renewables developers.

Join us for a day of learning and inspiration, exploring national policy and trends in community benefit, local governance of funds, and how communities can ensure such funds achieve the most for their area.

The event is aimed at representatives from community councils and other community organisations, renewables developers, and anyone with an interest in how community benefit from renewables is delivered in the south of Scotland.

The programme for the day can be found here.

Places are limited, so please register now to confirm your attendance.

For further information about this event contact Cara Gillespie on 01557 814 927 or email.