First meeting for Berwickshire Dive Tourism Association
Monday, September 3 2007
The Berwickshire Dive Tourism Association is open for business!
After a year of sustained effort, a group of dive tourism operators in Berwickshire has created a new Association aimed at developing and marketing dive tourism in this area.
With invaluable assistance from the Scottish Sustainable Marine Environment Initiative (Berwickshire), a project managed by Scottish Borders Council, and Scottish Enterprise Borders, the Association has been involved in identifying the potential for growth in the dive tourism sector. Consultants appointed by Scottish Enterprise Borders have already identified that the sector presently supports 82 jobs and brings £3.7 million of income to the local economy. The report also identifies very substantial growth potential from sustainable diving and related tourism if the area is properly marketed and the visitor experience is enhanced in a number of crucial areas.
The St Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve, the only one in Scotland, is reputed to be in the top five dive sites in the world and the Association is keen to promote this outstanding attraction and increase economic activity by partnership working. Marketing experts have recently been appointed by Scottish Enterprise Borders to work with the Association to investigate ways of promoting the area as a single dive destination.
To make this work, it is important that the views and input of a wide range of tourism businesses is achieved.
At the first meeting the Association hopes to attract the interest and involvement of all interested businesses in Berwickshire and will be seeking to appoint members for the Association Committee, who will steer the efforts of the Association to the best benefit of all involved.
The meeting will be held at Coldingham Village Hall on the Tuesday 11 September from 2-3p.m.
To register your attendance or if you are interested in becoming involved, but cannot attend the meeting, please contact Chris Cutts, Scottish Sustainable Marine Environment Initiative Project Officer, for further information on 01890 752834 or online
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