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Campaign to promote Forth Valley as accessible destination
Tuesday 30 July 2019 - 19:00
A new campaign will promote the Forth Valley as an accessible visitor destination.
The Forth Valley Accessibility Tourism Promotion will create a suite of downloadable and print itineraries as wellas three films highlighting the full range of accessible attractions and accommodation providers in the area. The itineraries will be tailored for visitors with Autism, Dementia and Mobility issues and will cover three themes: Family Fun, Heritage and Outdoor activity.
The films and itineraries will be promoted via digital channels to people in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Northern England.
The campaign is being led by Falkirk Delivers in collaboration with Falkirk Council, Stirling Council, Discover Clackmannanshire and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, along with local businesses in the area.
It has been awarded £19,800 from the VisitScotland Growth Fund. The Growth Fund, delivered by the national tourism organisation supports national, regional and sectoral tourism groups across Scotland to deliver partnership marketing campaigns.
A 6th year pupil at Falkirk High will be supporting the development of the itineraries as he is fully aware of the challenges faced by visitors to the area with access requirements. The campaign has also received support from the Changing Places Working Group and Euan’s Guide, and has been in contact with PAMIS, Simply Emma, the Forth Valley Sensory Centre, Oovirt and Alzheimer’s Scotland.
There is currently limited accessibility information on the individual business and destination platforms of the areas involved in the campaign meaning visitors with access requirements struggle to plan their visits to the Forth Valley. With 54% of visitors with access requirements avoiding a venue if they can't find accessibility information, it is hoped this project will encourage the partners and local businesses to complete a VisitScotland Accessibility Guide and also list themselves on Euan’s Guide.
Sarah Winters, Falkirk Delivers, said:
"Falkirk Delivers and Visit Falkirk are delighted to have been granted our third Growth Fund award, and to be working with partners Forth Valley wide. Our aim is to ensure that information for all visitors to the area is easily found and our local businesses and tourist attractions are accessible to all. Accessible tourism is about making it easy for everyone to enjoy their tourism experiences, the information this project will provide will increase the travel opportunities available for people with special access needs, promote social inclusion and improve the skills of staff in the industry."
Marina Di Duca, VisitScotland Inclusive Tourism Manager, said:
"It is our aim to make tourism inclusive and accessible for all, so that every single person can benefit from all that Scotland has to offer. I’m very pleased that four areas of the Forth Valley have come together to showcase their accessible offering.
"This collaborative campaign will help attract the lucrative Accessible Tourism market to the Forth Valley and I’m delighted it could be supported by our Growth Fund award. At VisitScotland we want to champion collaboration and spearhead innovation to ensure every part of the country can enjoy the benefits of tourism."