ASVA Annual Conference 2024 Celebrates Record Turnout and Inspires Future of Scottish Attractions
Added: 15 Nov 2024
The Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA) is delighted to announce the resounding success of the ASVA Annual Conference 2024, held on Thursday 14th November at Perth Concert Hall. With over 390 professionals from Scotland’s visitor attraction and tourism sector in attendance, the conference marked a record turnout, bringing together industry leaders, representatives from diverse attractions, and a vibrant trade exhibition that showcased innovative products and services from across the UK. This year’s event reflected ASVA’s vision for “World Class Scottish Attractions” and its mission to “Inspire, Represent, and Support the Scottish Visitor Attractions sector.”
Opening the day, Minister for Business Richard Lochhead MSP welcomed delegates with remarks underscoring the importance of Scotland’s visitor attraction and wider tourism sector to both the economy and the shared experiences of our visitors. Mr. Lochhead said: “This conference is an opportunity for Scotland’s vibrant tourism industry to come together and share visions for the future, whilst also appreciating the value of the sector to Scotland.
“Both government and industry share the same ambition to make Scotland a world leader in tourism. This is incredibly important to the country, as a successful tourism industry supports jobs and showcases Scotland to global audiences every year.
“The industry has had some real successes this year, with The Real Mary King’s Close named Britain’s Best Visitor Attraction 2024 by Tripadvisor being one example amongst many. Given this, it’s no surprise that 96% of all visitors to Scotland enjoyed at least one attraction in the last year.”
The conference programme featured diverse sessions that addressed key areas essential to Scotland’s visitor attraction sector, including:
- Beyond the Welcome: Crafting Unforgettable Experiences – Presenters from the Roman Baths, The Royal Yacht Britannia, and Big Ben shared insights into creating meaningful, memorable experiences that improve visitor engagement and foster operational excellence.
- Specialised Thematic Sessions – Delegates participated in breakout sessions tailored to their needs, with topics covering best practice in small and large attractions, digital transformation, sustainability practices, community engagement and inclusion. These sessions offered attendees practical strategies and takeaways to apply within their own organisations.
- Future of Tourism – The day finished with a compelling session featuring influential voices from within the tourism sector, including Rob Dickson from VisitScotland, Bernard Donoghue from ALVA, Marc Crothall from the Scottish Tourism Alliance, and Josh Ryan-Saha from Traveltech for Scotland. They discussed emerging trends and opportunities for growth, emphasising the importance of innovation and collaboration in shaping the future of Scotland’s tourism landscape.
- Scottish Attractions Inspiring People Awards – A highlight of the day was the celebration of the Scottish Attractions Inspiring People Awards, which recognised outstanding contributions from individuals whose dedication, creativity, and passion make Scotland attractions world class.
Following the day’s sessions, the conference concluded with a vibrant evening drinks reception at Perth Museum, generously sponsored by Timberplay Scotland. Attendees enjoyed refreshment from Scottish suppliers, networked with peers and explored the museum’s exhibits, including a guided tour of the iconic Stone of Destiny. This memorable evening fostered connections and allowed delegates to reflect on the day’s insights within the inspiring setting of Perth’s cultural heritage.
This year’s conference was strengthened through ASVA’s valued partnership with the Association of Cultural Enterprises (ACE), providing attendees with even greater access to expert insights across the cultural sector. We would also like to extend a special thank you to our headline sponsor, Dynavics, for their incredible support, as well as to all our other event supporters. Their contributions helped make this year’s conference a truly memorable experience. This collaboration underscores ASVA’s mission to “Inspire, Represent and Support” the Scottish visitor attractions sector, offering a well-rounded experience to equip members with knowledge and resources for sustained growth and excellence.
ASVA CEO, Michael Golding commented on the conference’s success, saying: “The incredible turnout at this year’s conference reflects the strength of the community in the Scottish attractions sector. It also clearly shows our commitment to continually learn and improve the quality of the experiences we provide. I’m inspired by the dedication of our sector and by working together, we are advancing our vision for World Class Scottish Attractions.”