The Ayrshire & Arran Destination Alliance (AADA) is an industry-led regional Destination Management and Marketing Organisation (DMMO). The organisation operates on a not-for-profit basis, working collaboratively to grow the visitor economy sustainably to deliver benefits for businesses and communities.
Industry leaders from across Ayrshire have come together to form a new Destination Management and Marketing Organisation for the region – Ayrshire & Arran Destination Alliance (AADA) – to drive a collective way forward for the tourism industry following the pandemic.
Over the past year, industry leaders have stepped up to try and drive forward recovery, working collaboratively with Local and National Government to focus on the challenges faced by one of Ayrshire’s key sectors.
Earlier this year, industry leaders appointed international destination experts, in2destination, to conduct research on behalf of the region to shape thinking around the development of sustainable visitor management across Ayrshire. With input from North, South and East Ayrshire Councils, along with businesses and residents, the research highlighted that tourism is overwhelmingly a “force for good” contributing over £600 million of visitor spend and supporting over 13,000 jobs regionally – but there was a need for more cohesion and joint working across the whole region.
Building on this research, AADA worked collaboratively with VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise and Local Authorities to successfully deliver a series of industry events throughout May and June attracting almost 200 industry representatives to look at areas of best practice from across the UK.
Through this work, AADA was developed and has launched as an industry-led Destination Management and Marketing Organisation for the region. The organisation will operate on a not-for-profit basis, working collaboratively to grow the visitor economy sustainably to deliver benefits for businesses and communities. As part of this move, AADA has taken on management of The Coig – a collaborative tourist route project and will continue to promote this as part of the regional offer.
VisitScotland CEO, Malcolm Roughead:
"The past year has been incredibly challenging for businesses up and down the country, but we know that tourism is resilient and will bounce back. We can only achieve this by working together so I am delighted to be working with industry leaders through Ayrshire & Arran Destination Alliance to make sure that we grab the opportunities ahead and manage tourism responsibly to create real sustainable benefits for everyone".
Paul McCafferty, Head of Tourism for Scottish Enterprise:
" I’m delighted to see industry coming together, demonstrating strong leadership and a clear vision to drive forward activity to attract visitors who are critically important to the economy, sustainability and growth of communities. There is no doubt that tourism plays a vital role within the regional economy of Ayrshire, and we look forward to working closely with AADA to recover and regrow sustainably over the next few years".
Marc Crothall, CEO Scottish Tourism Alliance:
"The launch of Ayrshire & Arran Destination Alliance is a really positive step forward for the tourism and hospitality industry in Ayrshire and Arran. I know just how passionate and committed these industry leaders are, and I applaud them for their energy and drive to establish this new body at a time when they have been faced with managing many challenges within their own businesses. We have seen at national level the importance of having strong industry leadership and taking an industry-led strategic approach. I have no doubt that this will be a hugely positive step for the region as they work together with public sector partners to drive forward and regrow beyond COVID".
Read the press release in full: Ayrshire & Arran Destination Alliance Launched
Ayrshire & Arran Destination Alliance will be communicating widely with businesses and groups across the region over the coming weeks to share plans and gain wide input to the future direction of the alliance.
