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Article published 17/03/2025

Our spring marketing strategy

As we transition from winter into spring, our marketing efforts focus on increasing demand for tourism and events across Scotland.

By showcasing seasonal experiences, we aim to drive sustainable economic growth while supporting businesses and communities ready to welcome visitors.

How we’re promoting spring tourism

This season, our marketing activity revolves around key themes that resonate with spring travellers.

Each theme aligns with our "Good for the Soul" message. This visitor proposition highlights the restorative and enriching qualities of spring in Scotland.

Its approach encourages visitor distribution, boosts spending, supports sustainability, and enhances overall visitor satisfaction.

Read about our Good for the Soul visitor proposition

Our marketing activity's four key themes

  • The great outdoors

    Spring is the perfect time to explore Scotland’s breathtaking landscapes and natural beauty. Our social channels will feature seasonal highlights such as wildlife encounters, lamb feeding, and blossoming flora - all set against breathtaking backdrops.

    Key activities include:

    • partnering with Sustrans and Glasgow Life to promote Glasgow’s fantastic cycling routes
    • collaborating with RSPB Scotland to highlight Scotland’s 77 nature reserves
    • hosting German influencers to promote slow, sustainable travel across Scotland
    • running a PR programme that welcomes media to experience green city spaces, dog-friendly holidays, and wildlife wellness experiences

    Learn more about how we collaborate with influencers.

  • Food and drink

    May is Whisky Month. Our marketing will celebrate Scotland’s world-renowned whisky heritage alongside our vibrant food scene.

    Key activities include:

    • whisky and local food businesses featuring across our social channels
    • showcasing @Eatinburgh’s recent foodie trip to Fife to engage new audiences
    • highlighting traditional food with a modern twist on visitscotland.com
    • promoting Scotland as a top culinary destination in our email marketing
    • launching a new brand campaign on Amazon Prime, spotlighting the unique experience of outdoor dining in Scotland
  • Islands

    Spring is an ideal time to explore Scotland’s islands. We’ll inspire travellers with curated itineraries and engaging content.

    Key activities include:

    • promoting island-hopping experiences through social media
    • showcasing island food destinations, including unique island pizzerias on the Isles of Barra, Harris, and Iona
    • promoting a social media video, highlighting the top five things to do on the Isle of Mull
    • encouraging media coverage on the accessibility of Scotland’s islands
    • developing fresh content on visitscotland.com, featuring trips to smaller islands
    • featuring island escapes in our email marketing campaigns
  • Great days out

    With longer days and milder weather, spring is the perfect season for day trips, particularly during the Easter holidays.

    Key activities include:

    • running the "Days Out" advertising campaign, targeting Scottish audiences with one-day trip ideas via The Sun and The Times (press and digital), radio promotions, and social media ads. We’re working with ASVA, NTS, HES, ScotRail, and GoodJourney.co.uk
    • highlighting spring events and featuring businesses weekly on our social channels
    • showcasing the Aberdeenshire Castle Trail through an influencer-led journey
    • promoting Glasgow as a spring destination via influencer collaborations
    • partnering with Museums & Galleries Scotland to spotlight cultural attractions
    • developing new content on visitscotland.com, featuring Glasgow’s best neighbourhoods to explore
    • promoting the Highland Games to American and European markets to inspire future visits

Driving bookings

More than half of international visitors use travel intermediaries to plan and book their trips. To drive consideration and bookings, we are targeting key markets in the US, Germany, France, and the UK.

Campaign activity includes:

  • Partnerships with Expedia (United States and UK), TripAdvisor (UK, Germany, and France), and Skyscanner (Germany), delivering strong levels of bookings and revenue.
  • Partnering with LNER to encourage residents from London and southeast of England to swap their daily commute for a Scottish escape, using Edinburgh as a gateway to explore beyond.
  • Collaborating with Avanti to promote Glasgow as an ideal city break destination for travellers from London and the northwest of England.

  

Island food and drink promotionGood for the Soul ad on Amazon Prime in the United States

Looking ahead

As we continue planning, there are many opportunities to get involved, share ideas, help shape Scotland’s spring marketing efforts.

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