The SSDA Conference was generously supported by:

 

SSDA Conference 2024

Wednesday the 20th March 2024. 

Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries, DG1 4TA

 

The South of Scotland Destination Alliance Conference is the key annual gathering for tourism and hospitality in the South of Scotland.

Our 2024 Conference held special significance as the official launch of the South of Scotland Responsible Tourism Strategy, and its action plan which will bring it to life and which will underpin all work, by all agencies, over the coming decade 2024-2034. 

 

 

👇 Keep scrolling to see photos of the day👇

Conference Agenda

Inspire visitors to come to the South of Scotland

  • Develop the Destination Position and Profile  ​
  • Year-round destination ​
  • Travel Trade ​
  • Designations, accolades and awards ​
  • Game-changing ambition to attract international visitors 

Generously Supported By Beeline PR: 

Developing the destination position and profile & develop a year-round destination.

 Oddný Arnarsdóttir, Head of Visit Iceland.

Inspire the travel trade to the potential of the region.

James Aitken, Founder Cashel Travel.

 

Leverage our designations and accolades

Melanie Allen , Chair of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere’s Partnership Board.

 

Have game-changing ambition to attract international visitors.

Mary Jane Brett, Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Customer Development Manager.

 

Develop the visitor experience with a focus on quality overview 

  • Quality ​
  • Growth and development ​
  • Visitor information  ​
  • Events and activities ​
  • Accommodation​
  • Infrastructure​
  • Inward investment

Generously Supported By SOSE: 

 

 

Growth and Development Hubs.

Paula Ward, SOSE.

Juditth Hewitt, Burns Partnership

Caroline Millar, Scottish Agritourism 

Visitor Information.

Oddny Arnarsdóttir, Visit Iceland

Julia Jakoubek,  Vienna Tourist Board

Vanessa Wegstein, SSDA

Events & Accommodation.

Rachel Cowper, The Crichton Trust

Anna Fegusson, Buccleuch Estates

Infrastructure & Inward investment.

Luke Fisher, The Tweed Forum

Phil McCreadie, SOSE

Support Businesses

A world café networking session, with tables facilitated by partners and experts

 

  • Collaboration and Support
  • Representation
  • Workforce development 
  • Data sharing

 

Generously supported by Howden 

Act responsibly for long-term collective benefit.

 

  • Natural capital ​
  • Net Zero​
  • Community-led tourism ​
  • Accessible and inclusive tourism​
  • Visitor management ​
  • Motorhome visitor experience​

 

 

Generously supported by GSAB 

Community engagement and benefit.

Carron Tobin, Exe Director, SCOTO

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism.

Paul J Ralph, Founder, Partners In Access

Visitor Management & Nature/Natural Capital. 

Cara Gillespie, The Southern Uplands Partnership