SCOTO Conference March 2023

SCOTO - Scottish Community Tourism National Gathering & Learning Exchange

2 & 3 March 2023

TOURISM: A DIRTY WORD OR A FORCE FOR GOOD FOR COMMUNITIES?

The inaugural SCOTO - Scottish Community Tourism Gathering took place at the beginning of March 2023. The events celebrated SCOTO Network's mission to build skills, connections and confidence in people working in community-led tourism.

Thursday 2 March

THE SCOTO SCOTTISH COMMUNITY TOURISM GATHERING 2023 - inspirational speakers providing vital insights and valuable perspectives and "SCOTO Gathering" networking sessions.

Friday 3 March

THE SCOTO COMMUNITY TOURISM LEARNING EXCHANGE 2023, Specially designed learning exchange opportunities across Badenoch and Strathspey, with input from communities across Scotland.

The SCOTO Gathering 2023 and Learning Exchanges were made possible with generous support from Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Scottish Community Alliance and Cairngorms National Park Authority.

Of those who responded to the Gatherning survey

93% found the event very/extremely useful to them

Of those who repsonded to the Gathering survey

90% rated the format of the 2 day event as excellent.

Location

SCOTO SCOTTISH COMMUNITY TOURISM GATHERING 2023

At the Duke of Gordon Hotel, Kingussie, 85 people attended the first SCOTO National Gathering. The event included presentations and themed discussions around the topic of "Tourism - A dirty word or a force for good for communities". Click below to see the entire programme

Gathering Progamme

SCOTO COMMUNITY TOURISM GATHERING LEARNING EXCHANGE DAY 3 MARCH 2023

On day two of the Gathering, a specially designed learning exchange day was developed for community organisations. A total of 6 exchange offers were available, each presented by community organisations within the Badenoch and Strathspey area of the Cairngorms National Park.

With 45 participants, the Scottish Tourism Alliance funded SCOTO to provide community organisations with bursaries for travel and accommodation costs. To see the exchange programme click below.

Learning Exchange Visits

SCOTO National Gathering Presentations

From the successful SCOTO National Gathering, we have a number of presentations which you can view. Please select below:

Carron Tobin, Executive Director, SCOTO > Marc Crothall, CEO Scottish Tourism Alliance > Natasha Hutchison, Wester Ross Biosphere >

SCOTO National Gathering 2024

The feedback from our 2023 event was so positive with some saying it was the 'most friendliest conference they've been to'. So why not join us in 2024 for the second SCOTO National Gathering and Learning Exchange Visits on Thursday 29 Feb & Friday 1 March! Register your interest below. We look forward to seeing you there.

“Thoroughly enjoyed the two days in many, many ways. Friendly, professional, and informative. A real sense of understanding out on the site visits of how communities overcome and work together to solve problems"

"The fact that the SCOTO event came across as above all other events of this nature in terms of being a genuine community based organisation. Down to earth, practical, supportive - and a real mix of people and experiences to learn from."

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