Adventure travel chiefs head for the Cairngorms

Published on Friday 13 November 2009 19:18

TOURIST chiefs at Aviemore are celebrating the news yesterday that the resort will host a major international conference next year.

The event will provide a welcome 1 million boost to the growing outdoor and adventure tourism market. The sector is worth 160 million a year to the Scottish economy.

More than 500 delegates from 50 countries are expected at the annual conference of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) from 4-7 October at the Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort in the Cairngorms National Park.

Yesterday, Shannon Stowell and Chez Chesak, the president and vice-president of ATTA, visited Aviemore.

Alan Rankin, chief executive for Aviemore and the Cairngorms Destination Management Organisation, said: "This coup proves that Aviemore and the Cairngorms sit on a world stage as one of the top travel destinations, and we are looking forward to hosting delegates."

First Minister Alex Salmond backed Aviemore's bid to host the conference, as did a number of tourism organisations.