Category: SSDA

South of Scotland Thistle Awards returns to celebrate tourism stars

The 12 winners of the region’s second annual Thistle Awards who will go on to represent the South of Scotland at the national Scottish Thistle Awards in November. Photo: Phil Wilkinson Tourism and hospitality businesses from across the South of Scotland celebrated their victories at the South of Scotland’s second annual Thistle Awards ceremony last…
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South of Scotland Tourism Data Survey

Our Tourism Data Survey is about understanding what businesses want As part of the South of Scotland Responsible Tourism Strategy, the SSDA, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Scottish Borders Council, SOSE and Visit Scotland are keen to better understand exactly what visitor economy data local businesses want. We invite businesses to take a moment this August to COMPLETE…
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Promoting ‘Pawfect’ Breaks in the South of Scotland

With National Dog Day celebrations today and a growing market demand for dog-friendly holiday options and experiences, the SSDA has launched a new toolkit to help local businesses attract new customers and their four-legged friends. The toolkit, which is available to read and download here, provides information on the benefits of becoming dog-friendly, along with…
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South of Scotland Tourism grows by almost £150m (20%) in a year

The latest STEAM (Scottish tourism economic impact modelling) data has been released for the South of Scotland, covering the year 2023, and it shows an incredible 20% increase in the size of our visitor economy, rising by £149m to £911 million, and a 14% increase in the total number of jobs, to 15,652.   Download…
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Destination Tweed appoints Tourism Business Engagement Officer

Tourism Business Engagement Officer, Neen Kelly, appointed to help local businesses make the most of the River Tweed Trail. Photo: Lloyd Smith The £25 million Destination Tweed project has appointed destination development expert, Neen Kelly as Tourism Business Engagement Officer to help local businesses make the most of the opportunities provided by the planned River…
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SSDA July Newsletter 2024

David Hope-Jones, CEO of the SSDA gives a quick 5-minute round up, while paddle boarding, of the latest work of the SSDA in supporting the tourism economy in the South of Scotland. The finalists in the South of Scotland Thistle Awards have been announced and we summarise some of the key points of our marketing…
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Shortlist And New Award Unveiled For The Returning South Of Scotland Thistle Awards

The South of Scotland shortlist for the region’s second dedicated Thistle Awards has been unveiled alongside the announcement of brand-new award category     The shortlist for the South of Scotland’s dedicated regional Thistle Awards – Scotland’s leading tourism and events industry accolades – has been revealed today alongside a brand-new award category.   Back following…
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Positive Signs Ahead At Official Launch Of Major Cycle Route Across The South Of Scotland

Businesses across the South of Scotland are welcoming the official launch of the now fully signposted 250-mile Kirkpatrick Coast 2 Coast cycling route Local cyclists and businesses celebrated the official launch of the Kirkpatrick C2C: South of Scotland’s Coast to Coast today in Langholm – a popular place for cyclists to stop along the now…
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Take your Family Time Traveling by Train to the Borders this Summer

Special ‘Kids Go Free’ deal at five major attractions, plus ScotRail’s ‘Kids for a Quid’ promotion, adds up to a fantastic value day out for the whole family   Trimontium Museum is among the five attractions offering a special kids Go Free offer to families as part of ScotRail’s Kids for a Quid promotion Families  in…
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SSDA June Newsletter 2024

David Hope-Jones, CEO of the SSDA gives a quick 5-minute round up of the latest work of the SSDA in supporting the tourism economy in the South of Scotland and we summarise some of the key points of our marketing work, press coverage and regional news in our June newsletter.   READ THE JUNE 2024…
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