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.
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
Net Zero.
Dr Martin Valenti, Director of Net Zero, Nature & Entrepreneurship, SOSE
Community engagement and benefit.
Carron Tobin, Exe Director, SCOTO
Motorhome visitor experience.
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism.
Paul J Ralph, Founder, Partners In Access
Visitor Management & Nature/Natural Capital.
Cara Gillespie, The Southern Uplands Partnership
