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{{Short description|Scottish national tourism organisation}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox government agency
| name = VisitScotland
| name = VisitScotland
| native_name =
⚫
| logo = Visit Scotland logo.png
| type =
| type = Organisation
⚫
| logo = Visit Scotland logo.png
| industry = Tourism
| logo_size =
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| foundation = 1969 (as the Scottish Tourist Board)
| logo_caption =
| key_people =
| logo_alt =
| products =
| image =
| revenue =
| image_size =
⚫
| num_employees = 559 (2018)<ref>{{cite report | url = https://www.visitscotland.org/binaries/content/assets/dot-org/pdf/annual-and-corporate-reports/annual-report-2018.pdf | title = Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2018 | publisher = VisitScotland | website = visitscotland.org | date = 2018 | page = 61 | quote = ''Total FTE @ 31/03/18 [..] 559''}}</ref>
| image_caption =
| parent =
| image_alt =
| homepage = {{URL|www.visitscotland.org}}
⚫
| formed = {{Start date and age|1969}} (as the Scottish Tourist Board)
| preceding1 =
| preceding2 = <!-- up to |preceding6= -->
| dissolved =
| superseding1 =
| superseding2 = <!-- up to |superseding6= -->
| agency_type = [[Executive non-departmental public body]]
| jurisdiction = [[Scotland]]
| status =
| headquarters = Ocean Point One, 94 Ocean Drive, [[Leith]], [[Edinburgh]]
| coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LATITUDE|LONGITUDE|type:landmark_region:US|display=inline,title}} -->
⚫
| employees = 525 (2019)<ref>{{cite report | url = https://www.visitscotland.org/binaries/content/assets/dot-org/pdf/annual-and-corporate-reports/annual-report-2019.pdf | title = Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2019 | publisher = VisitScotland | website = visitscotland.org | date = 2019 | page = 64 | quote = ''Total FTE @ 31/03/19 [..] 525'' | access-date = 15 January 2020 | archive-date = 18 January 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230118043202/https://www.visitscotland.org/binaries/content/assets/dot-org/pdf/annual-and-corporate-reports/annual-report-2019.pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref>
| budget =
| minister_type =
| minister1_name = [[Ivan McKee|Ivan McKee MSP]]
| minister1_pfo = [[Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise]]
| minister2_name =
| minister2_pfo = <!-- up to |minister8_name= -->
| deputyminister_type =
| deputyminister1_name =
| deputyminister1_pfo =
| deputyminister2_name =
| deputyminister2_pfo = <!-- up to |deputyminister8_name= -->
| chief1_name = Vicki Miller
| chief1_position = [[Chief executive officer|Chief Executive]]
| chief2_name = Stephen Leckie
| chief2_position = [[Chairperson]]
| parent_department =
| parent_agency =
| parent_agency_type = <!-- defaults to |type if left blank -->
| child1_agency =
| child2_agency = <!-- up to |child25_agency= -->
| keydocument1 = <!-- up to |keydocument6= -->
| website = {{Official URL}}
| agency_id =
| map =
| map_size =
| map_caption =
| map_alt =
| footnotes =
| embed =
}}
}}
⚫
'''VisitScotland''', formerly the '''Scottish Tourist Board''' ({{lang-gd|Bòrd Turasachd na h-Alba}}), is a national [[Tourism in Scotland|tourism]] organisation for Scotland. It is an [[Scottish public body|executive non-departmental public body]] of the [[Scottish Government]], with offices in [[Edinburgh]], [[Glasgow]], [[Aberdeen]], [[Inverness]], and other parts of Scotland.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.visitscotland.org/about-us/contact/our-locations | publisher = Visit Scotland | website=visitscotland.org | title = Our Locations | access-date = 15 January 2020 }}</ref>


⚫
Among the organisation's tasks is the attraction of visitors to Scotland through [[advertising]] and [[Promotion (marketing)|promotional campaigns]]. VisitScotland also manages a number of [[Hotel rating|quality grading schemes]] for tourist accommodation and attractions.<ref name="grading">{{cite web|url = https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/quality-customer-experience/quality-assurance-ratings/qa-conditions-and-criteria | publisher = VisitScotland | website = visitscotland.org | title = Quality Assurance gradings - QA Conditions and Criteria | access-date = 13 June 2019 }}</ref> The organisation also operates the VisitScotland.com website which provides bookings and information service for visitors to Scotland. From 2001 this website was operated as a [[public-private partnership]] venture,<ref name="parl">{{cite web|url = https://www.parliament.scot/newsandmediacentre/23788.aspx | publisher = Scottish Parliament | website = parliament.scot | title = Tourism body criticised over handling of e-tourism venture | date = 14 May 2009 | access-date = 13 June 2019 }}</ref> though this venture (and the website) was brought back into public ownership in 2008.<ref name="parl"/><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12389627.visitscotlands-online-booking-site-loses-pound12m-over-five-years/ | publisher = Herald Scotland | website = heraldscotland.com | title = VisitScotland's online booking site loses £12m over five years | date = 15 May 2009 | access-date = 13 June 2019 }}</ref>
⚫
'''VisitScotland''', formerly the '''Scottish Tourist Board''', is a national [[Tourism in Scotland|tourism]] organisation for Scotland. It is an [[Scottish public body|executive non-departmental public body]] of the [[Scottish Government]], with offices in [[Edinburgh]], [[Glasgow]], [[Inverness]], and other parts of Scotland.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.visitscotland.org/about-us/contact/our-locations | publisher = Visit Scotland | website=visitscotland.org | title = Our Locations | accessdate = 15 January 2020 }}</ref>

⚫
Among the organisation's tasks is the attraction of visitors to Scotland through [[advertising]] and [[Promotion (marketing)|promotional campaigns]]. VisitScotland also manages a number of [[Hotel rating|quality grading schemes]] for tourist accommodation and attractions.<ref name="grading">{{cite web|url = https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/quality-customer-experience/quality-assurance-ratings/qa-conditions-and-criteria | publisher = VisitScotland | website = visitscotland.org | title = Quality Assurance gradings - QA Conditions and Criteria | accessdate = 13 June 2019 }}</ref> The organisation also operates the VisitScotland.com website which provides bookings and information service for visitors to Scotland. From 2001 this website was operated as a [[public-private partnership]] venture,<ref name="parl">{{cite web|url = https://www.parliament.scot/newsandmediacentre/23788.aspx | publisher = Scottish Parliament | website = parliament.scot | title = Tourism body criticised over handling of e-tourism venture | date = 14 May 2009 | accessdate = 13 June 2019 }}</ref> though this venture (and the website) was brought back into public ownership in 2008.<ref name="parl"/><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12389627.visitscotlands-online-booking-site-loses-pound12m-over-five-years/ | publisher = Herald Scotland | website = heraldscotland.com | title = VisitScotland's online booking site loses £12m over five years | date = 15 May 2009 | accessdate = 13 June 2019 }}</ref>


==Aims and operation==
==Aims and operation==
VisitScotland's primary aim is to market Scotland as a tourism destination, which it does through advertising and promotion as well as encouraging [[newspaper|press articles]] on Scotland and what it has to offer the business or consumer visitor.
VisitScotland's primary aim is to market Scotland as a tourism destination, which it does through advertising and promotion as well as encouraging [[newspaper|press articles]] on Scotland and what it has to offer the business or consumer visitor.


The organisation also seeks to work with the tourism industry in Scotland to maintain standards in visitor attractions and accommodation provision. It does this through a number of specific quality grading schemes.<ref name="grading"/> VisitScotland also runs the Thistle Awards, which are awarded to the best tourism businesses each year.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen/1700692/north-of-scotland-attractions-win-big-at-visit-scotlands-tourism-awards/ | publisher = Aberdeen Journals Ltd | website = pressandjournal.co.uk | title = North of Scotland attractions win big at Visit Scotland's tourism awards | date = 16 March 2019 | accessdate = 13 June 2019 }}</ref>
The organisation also seeks to work with the tourism industry in Scotland to maintain standards in visitor attractions and accommodation provision. It does this through a number of specific quality grading schemes.<ref name="grading"/> VisitScotland also runs the Thistle Awards, which are awarded to the best tourism businesses each year.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen/1700692/north-of-scotland-attractions-win-big-at-visit-scotlands-tourism-awards/ | publisher = Aberdeen Journals Ltd | website = pressandjournal.co.uk | title = North of Scotland attractions win big at Visit Scotland's tourism awards | date = 16 March 2019 | access-date = 13 June 2019 }}</ref>


==Website==
==Website==
VisitScotland.com is the official website of VisitScotland. The website acts as a bookings and information service for visitors to Scotland. Accommodation availability information, as well as more general information about Scotland, is provided from the www.visitscotland.com domain.
VisitScotland.com is the official website of VisitScotland. The website acts as a bookings and information service for visitors to Scotland. Accommodation availability information, as well as more general information about Scotland, is provided from the www.visitscotland.com domain.


VisitScotland.com was initially the trading name of eTourism Ltd, a private limited company set up by a [[public-private partnership]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/business/companies/anger-at-visitscotland-s-hijack-system-1-1092547 |title=Anger at VisitScotland's 'hijack' system |first=Colin |last=Donald |work=[[The Scotsman]] |date=31 August 2005 |accessdate=16 July 2016}}</ref> In 2003 the IT services group [[SchlumbergerSema]] was taken over by [[Atos]].<ref name="SOS 23Jul2006">{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/business/companies/media-leisure/visitscotland-com-books-austrian-specialist-1-1414630 |title=VisitScotland.com books Austrian specialist |first=Douglas |last=Friedli |work=[[Scotland on Sunday]] |date=23 July 2006 |accessdate=16 July 2016}}</ref> There was a major restructuring in July 2006 that saw VisitScotland increase its stake from 25% to 36%, Austrian booking specialist Tiscover took a 35% share and ATOS reduced its stake from 60% to 7%.<ref name="SOS 23Jul2006"/> [[Partnerships UK]] Ltd had also been shareholders.<ref name="Herald 12Jul2008">{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12759111.Inquiry_calls_for_overhaul_of__VisitScotland_apos_s__apos_obsolete_apos__website/ |title=Inquiry calls for overhaul of VisitScotland's 'obsolete' website |first=Colin |last=Donald |work=[[The Sunday Herald]] |date=12 July 2008 |accessdate=16 July 2016}}</ref>
VisitScotland.com was initially the trading name of eTourism Ltd, a private limited company set up by a [[public-private partnership]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/business/companies/anger-at-visitscotland-s-hijack-system-1-1092547 |title=Anger at VisitScotland's 'hijack' system |first=Colin |last=Donald |work=[[The Scotsman]] |date=31 August 2005 |access-date=16 July 2016}}</ref> In 2003 the IT services group [[SchlumbergerSema]] was taken over by [[Atos]].<ref name="SOS 23Jul2006">{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/business/companies/media-leisure/visitscotland-com-books-austrian-specialist-1-1414630 |title=VisitScotland.com books Austrian specialist |first=Douglas |last=Friedli |work=[[Scotland on Sunday]] |date=23 July 2006 |access-date=16 July 2016}}</ref> There was a major restructuring in July 2006 that saw VisitScotland increase its stake from 25% to 36%, Austrian booking specialist Tiscover took a 35% share and ATOS reduced its stake from 60% to 7%.<ref name="SOS 23Jul2006"/> [[Partnerships UK]] Ltd had also been shareholders.<ref name="Herald 12Jul2008">{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12759111.Inquiry_calls_for_overhaul_of__VisitScotland_apos_s__apos_obsolete_apos__website/ |title=Inquiry calls for overhaul of VisitScotland's 'obsolete' website |first=Colin |last=Donald |work=[[The Sunday Herald]] |date=12 July 2008 |access-date=16 July 2016}}</ref>


The ownership of VisitScotland.com became a divisive issue with many in the Scottish tourism industry. A number of accommodation providers, particularly those outwith the main cities, lodged a petition with the [[Scottish Parliament]] to return the group to public ownership, arguing that the use of public money to fund the parent company eTourism Ltd was disrupting competition, an assertion which eTourism unconditionally rejected.
The ownership of VisitScotland.com became a divisive issue within the Scottish tourism industry. A number of accommodation providers lodged a petition with the [[Scottish Parliament]] to return the group to public ownership, arguing that the use of public money to fund the parent company eTourism Ltd was disrupting competition, an assertion which eTourism unconditionally rejected.


In 2008, a [[Scottish Parliament]] inquiry led by [[Tavish Scott]] considered some of the problems associated with the website and made the recommendation that Scottish Government find additional resource to put towards solving these.<ref name="Herald 12Jul2008"/> On 7 November 2008, it was announced that ownership of VisitScotland.com was to be transferred solely to VisitScotland, with £1.2 million of funds being used to purchase shares from all other shareholders.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/national-tourism-website-is-handed-163-1-2m-bail-out-1-1145662 |title=National tourism website is handed £1.2m bail-out |first=Brian |last=Ferguson |work=The Scotsman |date=7 November 2008 |accessdate=15 July 2016}}</ref>
In 2008, a [[Scottish Parliament]] inquiry led by [[Tavish Scott]] considered some problems associated with the website and made the recommendation that the Scottish Government find additional resources to resolve these.<ref name="Herald 12Jul2008"/> On 7 November 2008, it was announced that ownership of VisitScotland.com was to be transferred solely to VisitScotland, with £1.2 million of funds being used to purchase shares from all other shareholders.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/national-tourism-website-is-handed-163-1-2m-bail-out-1-1145662 |title=National tourism website is handed £1.2m bail-out |first=Brian |last=Ferguson |work=The Scotsman |date=7 November 2008 |access-date=15 July 2016}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 40: Line 81:


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}{{Tourism in Scotland}}{{Scottish Executive NDPBs}}{{Economy of Scotland}}{{European National Tourist Boards}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Scottish Executive NDPBs}}
{{Tourism in the United Kingdom}}
{{European National Tourist Boards}}


[[Category:Tourism in Scotland]]
[[Category:Tourism in Scotland]]

Latest revision as of 11:12, 7 October 2024

VisitScotland
Organisation overview
Formed1969; 55 years ago (1969) (as the Scottish Tourist Board)
TypeExecutive non-departmental public body
JurisdictionScotland
HeadquartersOcean Point One, 94 Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh
Employees525 (2019)[1]
Minister responsible
Organisation executives
Websitewww.visitscotland.com Edit this at Wikidata

VisitScotland, formerly the Scottish Tourist Board (Scottish Gaelic: Bòrd Turasachd na h-Alba), is a national tourism organisation for Scotland. It is an executive non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government, with offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness, and other parts of Scotland.[2]

Among the organisation's tasks is the attraction of visitors to Scotland through advertising and promotional campaigns. VisitScotland also manages a number of quality grading schemes for tourist accommodation and attractions.[3] The organisation also operates the VisitScotland.com website which provides bookings and information service for visitors to Scotland. From 2001 this website was operated as a public-private partnership venture,[4] though this venture (and the website) was brought back into public ownership in 2008.[4][5]

Aims and operation

[edit]

VisitScotland's primary aim is to market Scotland as a tourism destination, which it does through advertising and promotion as well as encouraging press articles on Scotland and what it has to offer the business or consumer visitor.

The organisation also seeks to work with the tourism industry in Scotland to maintain standards in visitor attractions and accommodation provision. It does this through a number of specific quality grading schemes.[3] VisitScotland also runs the Thistle Awards, which are awarded to the best tourism businesses each year.[6]

Website

[edit]

VisitScotland.com is the official website of VisitScotland. The website acts as a bookings and information service for visitors to Scotland. Accommodation availability information, as well as more general information about Scotland, is provided from the www.visitscotland.com domain.

VisitScotland.com was initially the trading name of eTourism Ltd, a private limited company set up by a public-private partnership.[7] In 2003 the IT services group SchlumbergerSema was taken over by Atos.[8] There was a major restructuring in July 2006 that saw VisitScotland increase its stake from 25% to 36%, Austrian booking specialist Tiscover took a 35% share and ATOS reduced its stake from 60% to 7%.[8] Partnerships UK Ltd had also been shareholders.[9]

The ownership of VisitScotland.com became a divisive issue within the Scottish tourism industry. A number of accommodation providers lodged a petition with the Scottish Parliament to return the group to public ownership, arguing that the use of public money to fund the parent company eTourism Ltd was disrupting competition, an assertion which eTourism unconditionally rejected.

In 2008, a Scottish Parliament inquiry led by Tavish Scott considered some problems associated with the website and made the recommendation that the Scottish Government find additional resources to resolve these.[9] On 7 November 2008, it was announced that ownership of VisitScotland.com was to be transferred solely to VisitScotland, with £1.2 million of funds being used to purchase shares from all other shareholders.[10]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2019 (PDF). visitscotland.org (Report). VisitScotland. 2019. p. 64. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2020. Total FTE @ 31/03/19 [..] 525
  2. ^ "Our Locations". visitscotland.org. Visit Scotland. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Quality Assurance gradings - QA Conditions and Criteria". visitscotland.org. VisitScotland. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Tourism body criticised over handling of e-tourism venture". parliament.scot. Scottish Parliament. 14 May 2009. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  5. ^ "VisitScotland's online booking site loses £12m over five years". heraldscotland.com. Herald Scotland. 15 May 2009. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  6. ^ "North of Scotland attractions win big at Visit Scotland's tourism awards". pressandjournal.co.uk. Aberdeen Journals Ltd. 16 March 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  7. ^ Donald, Colin (31 August 2005). "Anger at VisitScotland's 'hijack' system". The Scotsman. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  8. ^ a b Friedli, Douglas (23 July 2006). "VisitScotland.com books Austrian specialist". Scotland on Sunday. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  9. ^ a b Donald, Colin (12 July 2008). "Inquiry calls for overhaul of VisitScotland's 'obsolete' website". The Sunday Herald. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  10. ^ Ferguson, Brian (7 November 2008). "National tourism website is handed £1.2m bail-out". The Scotsman. Retrieved 15 July 2016.


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