Skye is Scotland’s second most popular destination. The data shows that visitor numbers continue to grow each year and now exceed pre-covid levels. It is alarming that a destination like Skye faces the real possibility of not having a body...
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Mini Bite – from Alistair Danter – 12th November 2022
In Alistair's Mini Bite below you'll find information on Alistair Danter's work as Project Manager for SkyeConnect.
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I am currently posting from Edinburgh where I attended the Scottish Cruise liner conference swiftly followed by the Scottish Tourism Alliance conference. Both events attracted many good speakers and for the delegates the joy of face-to-face contact after a couple of years was palpable. While there is no hiding from the fact that the Tourism industry, along with all other parts of the economy, is in for a difficult 18 – 24 months, the quality of many emerging businesses and experiences gives us confidence that we can get through the cost of living crisis, provided that our messaging to customers is clear, our offers reflect value for money and operators are flexible and innovative with their services. In this latest ‘Mini Bite,’ we have a couple of notable events to bring to your attention as well as some excellent opportunities and resources to help your business in these challenging times.
Announcement: SkyeConnect Autumn Business Conference
We are delighted to announce that after receiving additional sponsorship from our wonderful partners at Brakes and Visit Scotland – SkyeConnect are delighted to be able to offer tickets for our upcoming event “Regroup, Reflect, Recover” FREE to SkyeConnect members and at a reduced cost of £5 for non-members. Tickets are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. Click here for tickets and further information on this event. We really want to give something back to the local business community during this challenging time so we hope that this helps make the event more accessible. This event is designed to bring together local businesses of all sizes and leaders from the Scottish Tourism Alliance, Visit Scotland Highlands & Islands Enterprise, the Local Council and local businesses to problem-solve and discuss the key issues affecting all local businesses and the local community. We hope to see you all there for what we hope will be an energising and informative event to help us navigate the challenges we all face together.
Autumn Business Survey
Many of you have responded to our Autumn business survey – A big thanks to you … but the more responses we get, the more robust the survey findings. So if you have not completed it yet please click here to do so.
Free Community Workshop – Active Travel
For any keen cyclists and active travel proponents, SkyeConnect is hosting a morning event in the Edinbane Community Hall on Sat 19th November. The free-to-enter workshop will provide advice and information on: Support & funding for active travel projects; How to set up and manage a community path project; The Skye Cycle Network and how it can help; Sustrans ‘Places for everyone’ programme and the Edinbane community’s path project – “Karen’s Trail”. Refreshments are included, followed by a site visit to the ‘Karen’s Track’ path project currently nearing completion. Please spread the word and if you wish to attend please can you email info@skye-connect.com with names to help with catering – Thanks!
Members, are you open this winter? – SkyeConnect can help
Are you open for business over the winter? Do you have any special deals you would like to promote? If you are a SkyeConnect member we want to help you get the word out about your winter opening hours and off-season offers. Email us at info@skye-connect.com with your winter opening and any deals you may have, and we will share this information with our global email database. This database contains over 2000 people who have expressed an interest in visiting Skye and finding out what is happening on Skye and they want to hear about your business!
Recruitment Assitance for SkyeConnect Members
Do you have recruitment issues? – We have a growing list of people who are interested in working on Skye. The list is available to paid-up members of SkyeConnect. Send us an email at info@skye-connect.com to gain access to this valuable resource.
Winter Marketing Campaign
We have joined with other Highland Destinations and VisitScotland to promote a winter marketing campaign for the Highlands. Details can be found here at Enjoy a winter warmer in the Highlands | VisitScotland Media Centre
Funding Opportunities for Your Business
We have been informed of the following business funding opportunities via HIE:
IMPACT30 – For young enterprise leaders with an eye on the future
Highland Housing Strategy Conference
It is good to be able to report our participation in the Highland housing Strategy conference – an online event with public agencies, communities, housing associations, DMOs and Chambers. The data produced by our own recent business housing needs survey combined with that of the Cairngorm Business group and Lochaber Chamber formed part of the valuable information-sharing aspect of the event. Business housing needs are firmly in focus for the delivery agencies.
Welcome to SkyeConnect Athol House!
Welcome to our new member this month, Mike and Jenny Chapman – Athol House, Dunvegan https://www.athollhouseskye.co.uk
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