Category: SSDA

External view of the Peebles Hydro, a hotel, set with blue sky and green rolling hills. The hotel will be the venue for the South of Scotland THistle Awards 2024.

South of Scotland tourism conference is back with ambitious vision

Tickets are selling fast for the South of Scotland Destination Alliance’s fourth Annual Conference with guest speaker Timmy Mallet announced  Tickets are now on sale for the South of Scotland Destination Alliance’s (SSDA) fourth annual conference, a key annual gathering for tourism and hospitality in the South of Scotland with a packed programme of inspiring speakers,…
Read more

SSDA December Newsletter 2024

Read our annual round-up of the year and catch up with the latest news from the SSDA and the regional tourism economy.   READ THE DECEMBER 2024 NEWSLETTER NOW!   And if you haven’t signed up to the newsletter, please do so and you will get our monthly updates delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe…
Read more

THE STARS ALIGN FOR THE SCOTTISH DARK SKY OBSERVATORY AS NEW HOME REVEALED IN DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY 

The new national astronomical observatory will be located at Clatteringshaws Loch within the Galloway Forest Park, Scotland’s only Gold Tier Dark Sky Park  More than three years after being destroyed by a fire, The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory is set to have a new home in Dumfries & Galloway on the banks of Clatteringshaws Loch…
Read more

SSDA November Newsletter 2024

David Hope-Jones OBE provides his monthly update on how we’re supporting the visitor economy in the South of Scotland. From major investment news to award winners and ongoing marketing activities, it’s been a busy month.   READ THE NOVEMBER 2024 NEWSLETTER NOW!   And if you haven’t signed up to the newsletter, please do so…
Read more

South of Scotland tourism stars shine at national Scottish Thistle Awards 

The 12 winners of the region’s second annual Thistle Awards flew the flag for the South of Scotland at last night’s national awards ceremony, securing four victories  Leading lights of tourism and hospitality in the South of Scotland celebrated at the national Scottish Thistle Awards ceremony in Glasgow last night, taking home four awards altogether,…
Read more

SSDA October Newsletter 2024

David Hope-Jones, CEO of the SSDA gives a quick 5-minute round up, by St Mary’s Loch, of the latest work of the SSDA in supporting the tourism economy in the South of Scotland. Our Locally Led Destination Development meetings are underway, and the newsletter contains updates on the growth in the  South of Scotland tourism…
Read more

South of Scotland tourism grows by £150 million (20%) in a year

New data reveals growth of visitor economy in the South of Scotland as the Deputy First Minister visits the Scottish Borders, meeting business leaders.    With Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes visiting the Scottish Borders, new independent tourism data has been announced showing the development of the visitor economy in the South of Scotland and the impact of the South…
Read more

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…
Read more

SSDA September Newsletter 2024

David Hope-Jones, CEO of the SSDA gives a quick 5-minute round up,  from the Cairndale Spa in Dumfries of the latest work of the SSDA in supporting the tourism economy in the South of Scotland. The newsletter has the latest news, events and information to help you stay up to date on the tourism economy…
Read more

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…
Read more