18 October 2006
SHETLAND DEVELOPMENT TRUST TAKES SHAREHOLDING IN SHETLAND INCOMING AGENCY
Shetland Development Trust has agreed to purchase a 49 per cent shareholding for £98,000 and provide loan assistance of £75,000 towards the cost of establishing and operating an incoming tourism agency in Shetland by Shetland Inbound Ltd.
The company aims to complement the core destination marketing activities of VisitShetland and provide a focus on developing and selling premium value Shetland tourism products and packages to markets in Scandinavia, Japan, Europe and America. The business will also be in a strong position to offer a service to incoming transport operators.
Commenting on the development of the new business, former General Manager of the Shetland Development Trust*, Neil Grant, said: “I am delighted that Shetland Development Trustees have agreed to support this project. Shetland Inbound Ltd will bring a completely new dimension to Shetland tourism by offering enhanced packages and products to the travel trade. The company will also develop business in the shoulder months to expand the tourism season.
“The company’s business plan is very much in keeping with a requirement outlined in the Shetland Tourism Plan 2006 to 2009. The plan, which was drawn up following consultation with a large section of the Shetland tourism industry, identified the development of an incoming agency as a priority to improve travel trade business in Shetland by enabling visitor supply and demand to meet.”
Shetland Inbound Ltd’s managing director, Jurgen Scharkosi, said: “Taking part in the further development of tourism in Shetland is an exciting and challenging project. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to develop Shetland’s incoming agency and to have the Shetland Development Trust as a shareholder.
“The main function of Shetland Inbound is to sell the services of Shetland’s tourism suppliers, to organise conferences, exhibitions and fairs and to explore different markets in addition to those already present. Travel companies, from overseas especially, require a one-stop-shop for all business they want to do in Shetland and we will specialise in providing this service.
“We would like everyone who is interested in finding out more about Shetland Inbound to join us at 10.30am at Room 16 in Islesburgh Centre on 30th October for a company presentation. In particular, I would like to welcome tourism suppliers and those interested in being part of our business packages. Please let us know of your coming and call us on 0845 094 14 15 or email ."
Also welcoming the establishment of the new company, VisitShetland’s chief executive, Andy Steven, said: “The Shetland experience must be easier to buy as new markets present themselves through improved transport links. Shetland Inbound has already been working alongside VisitShetland at recent industry exhibitions to make sure those interested in Shetland can get what they want easily and for it to be joined up at every stage. Destination marketing can only go so far but it is our tourism industry developing product through destination management that will ensure our promise is kept.”
Notes to Editor
Shetland Inbound Ltd
Jurgen Scharkosi is the Managing Director of Shetland Inbound Ltd and the company will most likely be operating out of North Ness Business Centre. 6 jobs are likely to be created within the company over the next twelve months.
Shetland Inbound is looking to maintain the appeal of Shetland as “secluded destination with well preserved nature” and appreciates the limitation of the tourism infrastructure. The aim will be to attract the individual visitors rather than attracting the mass market, which would spoil the current appeal of this type of holiday destination. Shetland Inbound is also hoping to distribute more tourism towards the North of Shetland and Outer Isles than is currently achieved.
Shetland Inbound is going to focus its marketing towards selling the shoulder and off-season periods within the current tourism calendar, thus expanding on the usage of our tourism infrastructure. Mr Scharkosi feels that there are a number of good reasons to visit Shetland during these periods and is intending to find the right markets to sell to in order to attract people into Shetland.
Further objectives of the company are to attract investors for tourism development projects and to support a frequent access travel link to Norway.
For further information on Shetland Inbound, please contact 0845 094 14 15 or email .
Shetland Development Trust
The role of the Shetland Development Trust is to give direction to the development of the Shetland economy. This is achieved through the provision of financial assistance to new and existing businesses. SDT support is aimed at projects which demonstrate commercial viability and lead to the maintenance and development of Shetland’s industries on a long term sustainable basis.
*Neil Grant was General Manager of the Shetland Development Trust during the initiation of this investment proposal. Neil Grant is now the Interim Head of Community Economic Development with Shetland Islands Council to take forward the management responsibilities of Economic Development Unit staff and the management processes required to integrate both bodies into the proposed Shetland Community Development Trust.
Current Financial Controller for the Trust, Neil McDougall is now taking on the additional responsibility to become the Interim General Manager of the Shetland Development Trust.