SSMEI grants help Berwickshire Dive Tourism Association attend International Dive Show
The Berwickshire Dive Tourism Association (BDTA) attended the London International Dive Show from 8 - 9 March. The two day
event attracted over 14,000 divers and the Dive St Abbs Eyemouth stand was inundated with enquiries.
The BDTA, formed from harbour trusts, local dive and tourism businesses, came together in 2007 with the help of Scottish Enterprise
Borders and the SSMEI. They meet regularly to achieve priority actions set out in their overall plan to promote St Abbs and
Eyemouth as ‘world class diving close to home’.
The SSMEI helped fund their attendance at the show, with grants for setting up a new website, the design and build of an exhibition stand, and branding for the local dive product. Through membership subscriptions,
the BDTA were able to build on this by financing the production of advertising leaflets and attending the show.
Stan Johnson, chair of the Association, said “We were absolutely delighted and overwhelmed by the interest shown in Dive St
Abbs Eyemouth at London and this has certainly proved the benefits of marketing the area under one strong clear brand. We
see this as just the start of seeing the area reach its true potential.”
Although primarily dive focussed, the group also wishes to engage with the wider tourism business community and encourage
anyone interested to join the Association.
The SSMEI will continue to work with the BDTA and Scottish Enterprise to sustainably develop marine tourism in Berwickshire.
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