An update on the closure of our iCentres

Changes to how we provide visitor information

As part of our strategy to grow the visitor economy, in March we announced changes to the way we would provide visitor information. This included a decision to close our iCentre network.

After considering a wide range of research and insights, which looked at how visitors plan and book their holidays, we found that most visitors plan all aspects of their holiday before they leave home, gaining inspiration from online sources or tour operators and travel agents. 

For VisitScotland, our future provision will focus on the channels we already use to inspire visitors to plan and book their trips to Scotland   

We have a much greater role to play in getting information to visitors at this earlier stage of their holiday planning.  By doing this we can influence where, when, and how long they visit. 

Our new approach to visitor information sees us targeting the channels we know visitors use to maximise our reach and influence in our key markets, ensuring Scotland is a “must visit, must return” destination.  

Closure programme

After careful consideration of a number of factors including staffing, resource to vacate premises, local arrangements, property commitments and stakeholder engagements, we can confirm the closure of our remaining iCentres.

Phase two

Phase one

Still to close:

Have now closed:

All our iCentres continued to operate until September 2024, our closure programme is now underway and due to be completed by late 2025.

Adapting to change

Scotland’s tourism industry has a proven track record of embracing change. Post-COVID, our collective efforts resulted in strong recovery of international tourism. We have seen growth in international visitors with the number of visits (3.9 million) and spend (£3.5 billion) higher in 2023 than in 2019. Scotland is the only UK region to have reached this milestone.

As an economic growth agency, we have three key priorities – market development, place development and business and experience development.

Together with businesses and our partners, we want to build on that success and ensure that across all areas of our work, we prioritise the activities that will deliver for our industry and for Scotland.

Adapting our approach to information will ensure we create the right opportunities and conditions for success for destinations, sectors, and businesses, ensuring an effective return on investment. 

By making some changes to the way we deliver our activities, we will be able to ensure we make the biggest impact to grow the value of the visitor economy. 

Further information

Should you have any further questions, please email us at customer.services@visitscotland.com.