News

A major industry conference for tourism and events professionals across Tayside and Fife is set to return next year, for the first time since the pandemic.

The Tay Country Tourism Conference: Moving forward Tay-gether will take place on 3 March 2026 at the Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa in Dundee and registration is now open.

The conference has been organised by national tourism and events organisation, VisitScotland, in partnership with Dundee, Angus, Fife and Perth & Kinross Councils.

Tourism is a key sector for the wider Tay Country region. The latest figures show an average annual expenditure from overnight visitors of £981 million, helping to support 2,305 tourism businesses and 33,000 people employed in tourism.

In Dundee and Angus, tourism generates on average £180 million in spend a year from overnight visitors and supports 6,000 jobs in the city.

Businesses attending the one-day conference will find out about the latest travel insights, hear from tourism experts, and network with other tourism businesses in the region.

Artificial intelligence (AI) will be a key topic, delivered by expert, Sam Weston, Head of AI & Marketing at 80 Days. Sam will examine how AI is transforming the travel sector and advise how to move with it.

Vicki Miller, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, will share the latest insights and trends shaping the tourism landscape.

And they will be joined by other industry leaders who provide different perspectives on what will be driving destinations in coming years.

The event supports the Tay Cities Region Tourism Framework, published this year, which outlines shared regional priorities for strengthening the visitor economy across Perth, Dundee, Angus, and Perth & Kinross – outlining how the region can move forward ‘Tay-gether’ in coming years.

The first regional tourism conference took place in 2019 under the name of Tay Cities Regional Tourism Conference. It was held in Dundee and attracted around 200 businesses from across the east of Scotland.

The impact of tourism goes beyond travel, accommodation, and visitor attractions. From eateries to engineering, laundry services to life sciences, the benefits of tourism create a ripple effect across the whole local economy.

Caroline Warburton, Chair of Dundee’s Industry Leadership Group and Destination Development Director at VisitScotland, said: “The conference in 2019 was a landmark for the tourism industry in the region and demonstrated how bringing the industry together sparks new ideas and builds stronger partnerships. We’re excited to work with the industry and our local authority partners to deliver this important event for the sector.

“The Tay Country Tourism Conference 2026 will be a valuable opportunity for tourism and events businesses across Tayside and Fife. It provides a platform to celebrate passion and hard work which tourism businesses across the region show every day throughout the year. We hope to share some of those stories, hear from others beyond our region and help connect, and reconnect, businesses and leaders.

“It remains a challenging time for the industry as a whole and therefore it’s important for the local visitor economy that we work together using the latest insights to create a must-visit destination with experiences that really engage with visitors.”

Councillor Steven Rome, Dundee City Council convener of City Growth and Infrastructure, said: “This tourism conference is a great way to give participants an insight into the trends and topics that will help shape the approach for years to come.

“Strong partnerships will help to keep up the momentum for our local industry. The recently-launched Dundee tourism strategy is a great example of organisations working together to build on our many attractions to bring more people to the area. and encourage overnight and multi-day visits.”

Councillor George Meechan, Angus Council Leader, said: “The Tay Country Tourism Conference is a fantastic opportunity for our businesses to hear the latest travel insights and explore opportunities to collaborate. By working together as a Tay Country region, we can continue to enhance and strengthen our tourism offering as a year-round destination, whether for outdoor adventures, coastal escapes, or cultural discovery – supporting thousands of local jobs while showcasing all our region has to offer.”

Delegates will leave with practical insights, inspiration, and access to valuable resources – including VisitScotland’s Business Support Programme, designed to help tourism businesses grow.