A TEAROOM designed by a Scottish cultural icon, whisky tasting tours and wild camping guides are just some of the Scottish tourism businesses attending VisitScotland Expo for the first time this year.

Mackintosh at the Willow, Once Upon a Whisky and The Mountain Men in East Kilbride are exhibiting for the first time at the country’s flagship travel trade show during a significant year for the national tourism organisation as 2019 marks its 50th anniversary and the 40th staging of VisitScotland Expo.

Other exhibitors debuting at the event are the National Piping Centre, Glasgow Music City Tours, Scottish Classic Tours in South Lanarkshire, Native Places, Mharsanta and West of Scotland Chauffeur Hire in Renfrewshire.

VisitScotland Expo, which will be held at the SEC on April 10 and 11 is also hosting the highest number of exhibitors in its history with more than 330 businesses attending.

Jim Clarkson, VisitScotland regional leadership director, said: “We’re delighted to once again bring the world’s travel industry to Glasgow, and it’s great to see so many local businesses joining those from across Scotland to do business with international buyers. VisitScotland Expo allows businesses, including accommodation providers, visitor attractions and activity providers, to showcase their products and services to hundreds of tour operators and travel agents from all over the world – all under one roof. Tourism is more than a holiday experience it is the heartbeat of the Scottish economy and touches every community, generating income, jobs and social change.”