VisitScotland Connect: Scotland’s flagship travel trade event to return to the Scottish Event Campus in 2027

VisitScotland Connect, Scotland’s flagship travel trade event, will return to the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) on 15 and 16 April 2027. 

Bringing tourism operators face-to-face with domestic and international travel buyers over two days of prearranged meetings at the SEC, the event helps open access to Scotland’s key markets, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the UK. 

Organised like a “speed dating” experience, with short, one to one appointments designed to spark new business relationships, Scottish businesses, including hotels, attractions, distilleries and tours, were given 12 minutes to showcase their experiences before moving on to the next buyer.  

This year’s 2026 event at the SEC was attended by 330 travel buyers (a rise of 58 from 2025) representing 20 countries. The event was also attended by 289 suppliers (up from 243 in 2025) including 68 new businesses. 

With more than half of all international visitors planning and booking all or part of their trip through tour operators, strong relationships with the travel trade are vital.  

The activity, generated by VisitScotland Connect, helps support 245,000 tourism jobs across the country.* 

Breda Cruickshank, Head of Exhibition Sales at SEC, added: “We are delighted to confirm that we will be welcoming VisitScotland Connect back to the SEC in 2027.  At this year’s event it was fantastic to see the level of engagement across the two days, with thousands of meetings taking place between Scottish businesses and international buyers. Events like VisitScotland Connect highlight the value of bringing the global travel trade together in person, and the flexible layout of the SEC allows organisers to maximise both formal meetings and informal networking. We’re proud to support an event that creates meaningful opportunities for Scotland’s tourism industry.” 

VisitScotland Connect is part of the national tourism organisation’s business and market development activity designed to grow Scotland’s share of global travel in a sustainable way.  The event is part of a year-round approach with Scotland’s key markets to drive sustainable growth in the visitor economy, growing the value of tourism to Scotland and helping Scottish businesses internationalise. 

Aileen Crawford, Head of Tourism & Conventions, Destination Glasgow said: “VisitScotland Connect is a real shop window for what both Glasgow and Scotland have to offer, and we know we have a strong tourism product in the city. We’re leading with our culture and music, and as a UNESCO City of Music, that experience is increasingly important to visitors. 

“When you come to Glasgow, you don’t just visit — you leave with a piece of the city. It’s vibrant, friendly, interesting and exciting. 

“Developing our travel trade product is a vital part of that plan, which is why it’s so important to see VisitScotland Connect hosted in Glasgow. Buyers not only meet individual businesses and properties, but also get to experience the city for themselves.”  

During the event week, VisitScotland hosts a programme of meaningfully curated familiarisation trips (fam trips) to allow buyers to experience, first-hand, the incredible visitor experiences Scotland’s regions have to offer.   

VisitScotland’s Regional Director, Lynne Cooper, said: “Throughout the year, our teams work closely with domestic and international tour operators, travel advisors and agents. 

“This is vital when more than half of Scotland’s international visitors plan and book their trips through these partners. 

“These relationships help shape new tourism products and itineraries, while giving us valuable insight into what global travellers are looking for. 

“VisitScotland Connect brings this work to life, giving Scottish tourism and events businesses access to buyers they may not otherwise reach. The connections made here continue long after the event ends, supporting business growth, strengthening Scotland’s year-round offer, and positioning the country as a responsible destination visitors want to return to. 

“VisitScotland Connect is part of our core purpose to drive the visitor economy, growing its value to Scotland, and supporting jobs, businesses and communities.” 

This year’s VisitScotland Connect also celebrated Scotland’s rich musical heritage, reflecting Glasgow’s status as a UNESCO City of Music. Attendees enjoyed live performances that showcased Scotland’s contemporary and traditional music scene, reinforcing the event’s focus on connecting people, places and experiences. 

Those businesses interested in starting their journey to work with the travel trade can find resources on VisitScotland’s dedicated Business Support Hub Selling through travel distribution partners | VisitScotland Business Support 

*Source: Scottish Growth Sector Statistics, December 2025 Scotland’s visitor economy | VisitScotland.org