Aberdeen City and Shire target German market
14/03/13
Interest in visiting North-east Scotland looks set to grow in Germany, thanks to a consumer marketing campaign underway by national tourism organisation, VisitScotland, in partnership with Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils.
The campaign is live and running for five weeks from the end of February, targeting consumers in Frankfurt and the surrounding area. The promotion includes a competition to win a VIP trip to Aberdeen City and Shire, in conjunction with Skene House Suites, the Braemar Gathering and Glenfiddich Distillery.
Taking full advantage of 2013 being the Year of Natural Scotland, the campaign is using some of our famous Scots to tell potential German visitors all about the amazing natural things to see and do in the North East.
The marketing activity is online via a variety of high-profile sites, including Facebook and MSN and includes display adverts and electronic direct mail.
Aberdeen City Council leader Barney Crockett said: "Aberdeen is an amazing city and is the ideal location for short and long breaks. It is the Silver City with the Golden Sands, with a fantastic beach two minutes from the city centre, a fabulous retail offering, wide range of leisure activities including award-winning museums, theatres, performance venues, a burgeoning arts scene, golf courses, fantastic sports facilities and a bustling night life. There's something for everyone here.
"Aberdeen is the city in which to live, invest and visit. We've already got strong links with Germany through our twin city, Regensburg, and I am sure this marketing campaign will capture the imaginations of German tourists, who will be keen to visit Aberdeen city and shire.
"This joint campaign with VisitScotland and Aberdeenshire Council is a great way to really sell what our region has to offer to the rest of the world, and attract many more people to sample the delights of the area."
Councillor Peter Argyle, chairman of Aberdeenshire Council's Infrastructure Services Committee, which encompasses Economic Development, said: "Aberdeenshire is an area of stunning natural beauty and with lots of activities and high quality accommodation to choose from, we believe we have a lot to offer the German tourism market.
"By working in partnership with VisitScotland and Aberdeen City Council, we hope to attract many German visitors to come and see what the north-east of Scotland has to offer."
Shona Anderson, Regional Director for VisitScotland commented: "This campaign is building on the success of previous joint campaigns run over the last five years.
"As the largest European travel market to Scotland, and with a strong interest in touring dramatic landscapes, visiting castles and sampling local food and drink, Germany is an important target market, and with Lufthansa flying 3 times daily into Aberdeen International Airport, the opportunity to leverage this for the benefit of the tourism economy of the North East is that much greater.
"Tourism, both business and leisure visitors, have an impact on every part of the North East economy and themed years, such as the Year of Natural Scotland, give us a real opportunity to shine a spotlight on our natural assets. Working in partnership to grow our tourism industry in Aberdeen City and Shire offers many sustainable long-term benefits for the region."