Long undiscovered yet rich in outstanding experiences and tourism offers, the South of Scotland is now being put on the map.
The South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) is the strategic Destination Management and Marketing Organisation for the region, bringing together Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders for the first time.
The organisation, set up in May of 2020, aims to make the South of Scotland a world-class visitor destination. It wants to see visitors spend in the region rise to £1bn by 2030, alongside hopes for the creation of 6,500 jobs.
Yet this is not the only goal of SSDA and at the heart of the organisation’s strategy sits a vision for collaboration and sustainable development, leading the recovery from Covid-19 for the local tourism industry to build a stronger future.
Through their membership scheme, SSDA facilitate these plans, bringing together businesses for collaboration and innovation, realising the opportunities on their doorstep.
Members not only benefit from increased representation for the South of Scotland but also from personalised support from the team behind SSDA, training events, market insights and marketing opportunities. Additionally, the organisation brings together local businesses, tourism groups and councils to shape the future tourism strategy for the South of Scotland, putting their voices and the needs of the region firmly at the heart of the plans.
To potential visitors, the destination alliance presents travel inspiration and information through the ‘Scotland Starts Here’ campaign.
Consisting of a website, app and corresponding social channels, Scotland Starts Here encourages those near and far to explore this underappreciated part of the country, while a calendar of advertising plans promises to highlight major returning events – as well as those heading to the area for the first time.
From the Enduro World Series to Raiders Gravel cycling events, adventure is high up on the agenda. And with a proud history, stunning landscapes and great people there is enormous potential to engage and inspire new visitors with a variety of interests.