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World-renowned distillers, Edinburgh Gin, opened it’s doors to its brand-new distillery on today (Friday 6th December). The Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches – offers the public an unrivalled and immersive way to experience the brand like never before.

Located at The Arches on East Market Street, this state-of-the-art gin distillery will now produce every drop of Edinburgh Gin and is built upon the site of the historic Trinity Church, where the roots of botanical exploration were first planted centuries ago. The new distillery is home to painstakingly preserved features including historic arches and exposed brickwork, as well as breathtaking new additions such as floor-to-ceiling windows, a roof terrace, a chic bar, and most importantly two bespoke copper stills.

These new 2,000L stills – named Annie and Lina after two of the first female gardeners to work at Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh in 1897 – have been engineered with precision in Germany by esteemed coppersmiths Carl and represent the epitome of craftsmanship and innovation in the world of gin distillation. Joining Annie and Lina is a smaller still – named Matilda – to be used for experimental development. Together, the new stills serve as more than just functional equipment and are symbols of Edinburgh Gin’s unwavering commitment to excellence. These three copper stills are set to be the beating heart of the distillery and will ensure that every single bottle of Edinburgh Gin embodies the wonder-filled essence of the city’s spirit.

Committed to producing premium gin in a sustainable way, this new distillery obtains all its energy from 100% renewable electricity and will therefore be operationally carbon neutral*. This comes following the brand’s new, eco-conscious packaging which now includes 49% recycled glass content across all formats, fully recyclable labels and case shippers, and removal of all secondary packaging across the core range.

Offering breathtaking views of the city’s skyline, the new home of Edinburgh Gin marries rich heritage and excellent distilling credentials with innovative gin experiences, with the brand-new distillery poised to become the beating heart of Edinburgh’s gin culture.

Available to book now, the distillery will offer a programme of four distinct immersive experiences. From The Classic Tour & Tasting, to The Gin Making Experience, the all-new distillery experiences will showcase the excellence behind Edinburgh Gin and its top-class craftsmanship. Led by the brand’s expert Distillery Ambassadors, visitors on each experience will receive a unique glimpse into Edinburgh’s role in the history of gin, and the opportunity to fully immerse their senses by exploring the remarkable flavours, aromas, textures and tastes of the carefully chosen botanicals that contribute to the brand’s signature gins.

Finlay Nicol, Distillery Manager at Edinburgh Gin stated, “This launch is a true milestone for the brand, representing our relentless dedication to innovation and excellence in all things gin. We believe this is more than just a distillery — it’s a testament of our rich heritage, knowledge and commitment to sustainability, and our brand-new stills alone are an embodiment of this.”

Melissa Rickerby, Brand Homes Manager Edinburgh Gin also commented, “We’ve crafted unforgettable programmes for the new distillery which are as expertly curated as our spirits, so we can’t wait for visitors to experience them. These new experiences offer a deep dive into the intricate art and science of gin making, led by passionate experts who bring every detail of our process to life, offering a truly immersive journey through the world of gin.”

The Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches is open now, Mon – Sun 11:00 — 21:00. Experiences are available to book HERE.

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Hotly anticipated surfing resort, home to one of the world’s most advanced surfing wave pools, opens to the public

Scotland’s leisure and tourism industry is making waves as Lost Shore Surf Resort, the nation’s first inland surf destination, officially opens its doors on the 11th November. Located in Ratho, near Edinburgh, this game-changing £60m attraction boasts Europe’s largest and most advanced wave pool, positioning Scotland as a new global hub for adventure tourism.

Set within extensive grounds, Lost Shore Surf Resort offers a range of amenities including luxury accommodation, a waterfront bar, café, restaurant, surf school, surf shop, The Surfskate Academy, Spear Sauna, and wellness treatments.

As the largest investment in Scottish sporting infrastructure since the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the resort is expected to welcome over 160,000 visitors annually, create more than 130 jobs, and contribute £11 million to the local economy each year.

Surf

At the heart of Lost Shore Surf Resort is the state-of-the-art wave pool powered by Wavegarden technology. This enormous pool, three times the size of Wembley Stadium’s pitch, can generate up to 1,000 customisable waves per hour. From complete beginners to seasoned pros, surfers of all abilities will have the chance to ride world-class waves designed to their skill level.

With a 250-metre beachfront and over 20 wave types, surfers can fine-tune their skills while receiving expert tuition. Each surf session or lesson includes the use of high-performance, plant-based wetsuits and surfboards, ensuring comfort and warmth in any weather.

The resort also offers surfskating, an exciting variation of skateboarding that simulates ocean surfing on dry land. The Surfskate Academy helps surfers enhance their technique, making it a great way to prepare for the waves or get introduced to the sport.

In keeping with its commitment to inclusivity, Lost Shore Surf Resort will host several charitable initiatives. Inclusive Surfing Scotland will offer adaptive surfing opportunities for individuals of all abilities, while The Wave Project will provide their Surf Therapy sessions for young people facing various challenges—leading to a positive effect on the mental health and wellbeing of young people in the area.

Eat

In addition to its world-class surfing facilities, Lost Shore Surf Resort features Canteen, a rotating selection of top Scottish eateries in its waterfront bar, café, and restaurant. Visitors can enjoy diverse, seasonally driven dishes from beloved culinary favourites such as Glasgow’s Five March, Rafa’s Diner, and the iconic Edinburgh pizzeria Civerinos.

Stay

For those looking to extend their stay, the resort offers luxurious accommodation with stunning views of the surf pool. Hilltop Lodges, with three or four bedrooms accommodating 6-8 guests, outdoor showers, and wetsuit storage, cater perfectly to families and groups and offer stunning views of the resort. The Waterfront Lodges provide a scenic stay just steps from the surf, accommodating up to four people.

For accessible accommodation, the bespoke Kurvs feature sliding doors, wide corridors, and wheelchair-friendly amenities, ensuring a comfortable stay for up to four guests. 

Waterfront Pods, designed for singles or couples, offer floating super-king beds, underfloor heating, and ensuite bathrooms.

Enjoy

For the complete resort experience, Lost Shore Surf Resort offers indulgent wellness treatments by Michelle Denham, including facials and massages, delivered by a team of highly skilled therapists. The Spear Sauna, located by the water’s edge, provides a refreshing experience with waterfall buckets for an invigorating cool-down after a relaxing sauna session.

Events

There is a dedicated private event studio with space for up to 120 guests for corporate events, brand launches, meetings and private parties.

Throughout December, Lost Shore Surf Resort will be home to Christmas events such as The Lost Feast, a beautiful immersive indoor winter woodland for an incredible long table lunch or dinner provided by the critically acclaimed Five March. There will also be the Lost Cinema, where you can step through the Narnia wardrobe and enjoy festive film classics in a beautiful indoor winter woodland cinema. 

Quotes

Andy Hadden, founder of Lost Shore Surf Resort, said:
“This is a dream come true. Lost Shore Surf Resort is a hub of world-class adventure, hospitality, and wellness. After ten years of planning, it’s thrilling to open our doors and welcome visitors to experience this incredible resort. We believe Lost Shore will make surfing accessible to everyone, whilst also showcasing Scotland as a top destination for adventure tourism. I can’t wait to see more people realise the mental and physical benefits of surfing. Who knows—this could be the training ground for Scotland’s next Olympic surfing champion.”

Stephen Leckie, Chair of VisitScotland, said: “Lost Shore is an exciting development which could be truly transformational for the region and Scotland. Our stunning coastline has been bringing surfers to Scotland for many years and this new resort will only enhance its reputation as a world-class surfing and visitor destination. We know outdoor activities are a huge draw for visitors while water wellness, where visitors can recharge with water-based activities, continues to be an ongoing trend. Lost Shore will be able to capitalise on those trends with surfing aficionados, those tempted to try out the sport, and those who want to take in this unique visitor experience.”

Paul Stark, Chief Executive of the Scottish Surfing Federation, commented:
“Lost Shore Surf Resort delivers a truly world-class venue for Scottish surfers and supports our mission to positively impact lives through the sport of surfing. The ability to surf consistently on customisable waves, regardless of the weather or season, is a game-changer. Not only will this facility support our Scottish athletes excel on a world stage, but it will also open up the sport to a much wider audience, safely encouraging more people to give it a try and experience all the mental and physical benefits that surfing can bring.”

Ben Larg, Scottish big wave surfer and Red Bull athlete, said:
“When I first became involved with Lost Shore, I was a junior surfer, and now I’m surfing some of the biggest waves in the world, like those at Nazaré in Portugal. Having a facility like this is a massive boost for Scottish surfing. It will give young surfers the chance to train consistently on world-class waves, something I didn’t have growing up. I’m excited to see how Lost Shore helps develop the next generation of Scottish surfers.”

Ruairidh Farquarson, Co-ordinator at The Wave Project, added:
“We’ve seen first-hand the transformative power of surfing and community, particularly when it comes to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people. Our Surf Therapy intervention has proven to be truly life changing for the young people we work with and partnering with Lost Shore Surf Resort allows us to bring Surf Therapy into a state-of-the-art environment that’s accessible year-round. This facility will enable us to help even more children in Scotland experience the therapeutic benefits of surfing in a well located, accessible and controlled setting. We’re thrilled to be part of this incredible development.”

Josema Odriozola, Founder of Wavegarden, said: “It’s great to see Lost Shore Surf Resort come to life with a 52 module Wavegarden Cove, our biggest in Europe. This project is the epitome of what our company is about: bringing perfect waves to locations where they previously didn’t exist so everyone can experience the joy of surfing. Every aspect of our wave-making technology is engineered to provide the best customer experience while maximising energy and water efficiency, with regular software updates to ensure the resort remains at the forefront of what is possible.”

Tour operators seeking to expand their customer reach and boost revenue can benefit greatly from distributing their products through OTAs (Online Travel Agents). However, with taking the time to craft informative and engaging tour descriptions that inspire readers to book, these efforts may be manageable.

In this article, Palisis shares key strategies for writing product copy that ensures tours stand out on OTAs. The article covers important aspects like tone-of-voice considerations, grammar guidelines, and the essential details to include in descriptions to turn curious readers into eager bookers.

Consider the tone of voice in tour descriptions

Writing clear and readable tour descriptions ensures tours rank well on OTA platforms. Palisis offers several tips for nailing the right tone of voice from the start.

One key tip is to write in an active voice. This helps grab the reader’s attention and places them in the heart of the experience. For example, instead of passive construction, “Cruise through the city streets in comfort aboard your open-top sightseeing bus, and learn the secrets of must-see attractions including Buckingham Palace, the Palace of Westminster, and Trafalgar Square” is a much more direct and engaging way to appeal to potential customers.

Make descriptions engaging and avoid the hard sell

It’s important to balance explaining the unique benefits of the tour with providing essential details without it feeling like a hard sell. Tour descriptions should feel authoritative and helpful, conveying local knowledge with enthusiasm while maintaining a conversational, approachable tone. Descriptions should sound like a trustworthy recommendation rather than a sales pitch, while still providing all the key information.

Showcase expert knowledge and local insight

When listing tours on an OTA, operators can showcase their offerings to a global audience of keen travellers. By sprinkling in local knowledge throughout the copy, operators can make their tours more appealing and help them stand out. This gives the descriptions a personalised, authentic feel, which many travellers value.

Semantic SEO: Writing to answer search queries

Semantic SEO is the practice of writing content that answers users’ search queries naturally and meaningfully. Palisis recommends writing tour descriptions that align with what potential customers are searching for, which helps tour listings stand out both on OTAs and in search engine results pages.

For example, if someone is searching for Paris walking tours, a well-written description like “Stroll through the City of Love and explore the romantic side of France’s elegant capital on this 2-hour guided walking tour of Paris” reflects the searcher’s intent and helps the tour rank higher in search results.

Identifying relevant keywords is also key to optimising tour descriptions. Tools like SEMrush, Moz Keyword Explorer, and Ahrefs can provide valuable insights into the most effective keywords to use, and Palisis highlights how to use these tools to create content that appeals to both users and search engines.

Layout tips for converting tour descriptions

A well-laid-out description is essential to convert potential customers into bookers. Palisis emphasises that a successful tour description will include the following elements:

• Tour title: The SEO-optimised tour name that includes relevant keywords and makes it clear what the tour is about.
• Overview: A short, engaging introduction that explains what’s involved in the tour.
• Highlights: A few bullet points showcasing the key selling points of the tour, such as must-see landmarks.
• Itinerary: A brief breakdown of the locations and experiences included in the tour.
• Inclusions/exclusions: A clear list of what is and isn’t included, such as meals, transport, or entrance fees.
• Pickup and drop-off information: Details about where the tour starts and ends, helping to build confidence with potential buyers.
• Additional information: Details like age restrictions, dress codes, accessibility, and fitness levels.

Grammar and style tips

Typos and grammar mistakes can undermine a traveller’s confidence in the tour. Palisis advises checking tour descriptions carefully and ensuring consistency in grammar and spelling. They recommend the Associated Press Stylebook as a helpful resource and suggest writing in either British or US English, depending on the OTA’s guidelines.

It’s also important to use the English versions of foreign place names to appeal to an international audience, such as using “Munich” instead of “München.” Spelling out numbers up to nine and using numerals for ten and above is another best practice, along with using the Oxford comma for clarity in lists.

About Palisis

Palisis is a leading B2B provider of technology-based ticketing and distribution solutions in the travel and tourism sector. With years of experience, market knowledge, and a process-driven approach, Palisis supports businesses in over 100 countries around the globe.

Visitor experience designers Mather & Co are renowned for their work in designing attractions across the world, including Belgian Beer World, Dover Castle, Silverstone Museum, and Downton Abbey: The Exhibition. With almost 30 years of experience in sports, heritage, and entertainment sectors, the company has collaborated with leading names and brands, understanding the importance of knowing the audience.

In today’s fast-paced world, establishing a deep and memorable connection with visitors is critical. Whether managing a museum, visitor attraction, or cultural venue, understanding how to engage and resonate with the audience is the key to success. In response to this need, Mather & Co has developed an exclusive resource.

In the early stages of their projects, Mather & Co collaborates closely with their clients to comprehend the audience’s preferences, behaviours, and expectations. By understanding these factors, you can create experiences that emotionally resonate with your visitors.

The “Unlocking the Visitor Connection” guide is a comprehensive resource with valuable insights and actionable tips to help improve the visitor experience. The guide outlines effective methods for understanding the audience and includes a template to gather essential information to tailor the ideal visitor experience.

You can download the guide here.

Tayl, a leading provider of staff training and compliance solutions, is here to highlight key updates to UK employment law that took effect on October 1st. These changes are essential for businesses and employees alike to stay compliant and informed. Here’s a quick summary:

• Statutory Neonatal Care Leave – Employees with babies in neonatal care can now take additional leave on top of their parental leave entitlements
• Proactive Duty to Prevent Sexual Harassment – Employers are now required to take proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, even before incidents occur.
• Extended Protection from Redundancy for Pregnant Staff – Pregnant employees must be prioritised in redundancy decisions, offering them greater job protection.
• Flexible Working Requests – Employees can now submit two flexible working requests per year without needing to explain how their request might affect the workplace.
• Illegal to Withhold Tips – Employers are now legally required to ensure that all tips, service charges, and gratuities are passed on to staff in full, preventing any withholding of these payments.

For more information, check out these links:
GOV.UK: Employment Law Updates
Acas: Neonatal Leave and Pay
Equality and Human Rights Commission: Preventing Harassment at Work
Worker Protection Act Check List
Book a consultation with Tayl

ASVA has had a few members contact us over the last week with queries relating to the introduction of Martyn’s Law, asking for any insights into the upcoming UK wide legislation which is being put forward to ensure stronger protections against terrorism in public places. The legislation will impose a duty on the owners and operators of certain locations, including visitor attractions, to increase their preparedness for and protection from a terrorist attack by requiring them to take proportionate steps, depending on the size and nature of the activities that take place there.   

The first thing to note is that the legislation has not yet passed through Parliament and there is no date set as of yet, for when it will come into law. It is also not necessarily the case that there will be a specific new bill as such, as it may simply be the case that Martyn’s Law is incorporated into existing Health & Safety legislation. However, it is important to note that Martyn’s Law is certainly coming and that it will apply to any visitor attractions with a capacity of more than 100 people.  

A handy Martyn’s Law factsheet has been published detailing what Martyn’s Law is, what it will do, how it will work and who it will apply to.  

Members should be aware that there are going to be two tiers to the law – a Standard Tier for venues with a capacity of 100 – 799 and an Enhanced Tier for venues with a capacity of 800 plus.  

For the standard tier, for the venues with a capacity of fewer than 800, the ask appears to be quite a light touch. These venues are asked to complete free counter terrorism training, cascade any relevant information to staff and have some form of a preparedness plan, looking at what the venue does to ensure that it is secure, and that staff are prepared for any threats. There does not appear to be a need for you to document your measures taken or preparedness plan for Standard Tier compliance, as it does not appear that you will be audited on it. However, ASVA would advise that the best practice is that you do have a written preparedness plan.  

At the Enhanced Tier, where you run a venue with a capacity of more than 800, you are going to be obliged to have a risk assessment and a security plan which can be audited. This will include written evidence of staff training and written evidence of the processes and procedures that you have in place.   

If you are looking for support, you can contact your local police force for advice and guidance on counter terrorism training and risk assessments. There are also a number of free counter terrorism courses available online such as this one promoted by the UK Government. The UK Government has also stated that dedicated guidance and support will be provided in due course for Martyn’s Law, to ensure that those in scope have the required information on what to do and how best to do it. A new online platform has been developed by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), Home Office and Pool Reinsurance to support all those seeking to enhance their protective security. ProtectUK is a central, consolidated hub for trusted guidance, advice, learning and engagement with experts in security and Counter Terrorism. It will serve as the ‘go to’ resource for free, 24/7 access to the latest information on protective security and will be regularly updated with new engaging content and increased functionality.  

If anyone has any concerns or would like to discuss how Martyn’s Law may impact on your business, please contact our CEO, Gordon Morrison, at gordon@asva.co.uk.  

ASVA has teamed up with recruitment specialists, Xpressjobs, to provide practical support to Scottish attractions facing ongoing recruitment challenges and to shine a spotlight on the wealth of fantastic career options available in the sector to those looking for new opportunities.

As a result of this partnership, a whole new range of recruitment support tools are now available to ASVA’s members, completely FREE of charge.  
The new services include:  

• Unlimited jobs posting on https://www.xpressjobs.co.uk/, when posted through the ASVA jobs portal in the members area of the ASVA website.  
• As well as jobs being posted onto Xpressjobs and the ASVA website, vacancies will also be posted onto the Bobbll App, a new recruitment tool designed to attract Gen-Z candidates -. www.xpressjobs.co.uk/bobbll/   
• A candidate database mailer featuring all ASVA job listings, which will be sent weekly to a database of 45k+ jobseekers  
• Xpressjobs will promote and cover on all social media platforms, ASVA job(s) of the month, with the view to helping support these job opportunities within the highly competitive marketplace 
• Promoting any good news stories for any members and/or promote members’ job events on the ‘Events Section’ of Xpressjobs 
• A recruitment consultation with the Xpress team of experts who can provide ASVA members with advice on recruitment within their organisations, including in the following areas – Job Adverts Training / Attraction-Employee Brand / Process / Salary Benchmarking / Recruitment Strategy 

Launching the new partnership, ASVA CEO, Gordon Morrison said: ‘Speaking to attraction operators across the country over the course of this year, it is clear that one of the biggest challenges facing our sector, along with the cost-of-living crisis and impact this is having on the cost of doing business, is with recruitment of staff. Our organisation wants to further shine a light on the amazing opportunities available and I firmly believe this partnership with Xpress Jobs will further highlight the breadth of fulfilling, well paid roles and the excellent career options that can currently be enjoyed in Scotland’s attraction sector.’

Head of Xpressjobs, Ivan Mackenzie said: ‘Hospitality & Tourism is about the people, yet job boards, at times, can feel very impressionable, corporate, and isolated as they come.  Here at Xpressjobs, we want to be as hospitable as possible to our visitors, candidates, and recruiters, bringing together a one-stop-shop for jobs, advice, news, support and more all under our ‘community’ site. Through the Xpressjobs site, the organisation is looking to signpost help and attract people back to work. They aim to enhance the industry’s image by developing the Xpressjobs site as a broader platform across the various roles that Hospitality, Leisure, and Tourism offer.’ 

To find out more about Xpressjobs, please visit – Xpressjobs | Opening Up Your Job Opportunities

A big thank you to all our members who took the time to complete the 2022 ASVA Biennial Membership Survey. The results are now in and are available to view in the Members Area of the ASVA website (click on ‘Management Information’ to be taken to the correct section of the website). 

Along with the complete Qualitative and Quantitative results, a concise summary report has been published, highlighting the key findings from the survey.
  
The 2022 survey results provide clear evidence that ASVA continues to enjoy a high degree of engagement with our members, with many survey respondents providing very positive comments about  the work of the organisation and its current strategic direction of travel.  

It is very heartening to see that the organisation is regarded as a positive force when it comes to matters of lobbying & representation and sharing information, advice & inspiration, with many members “promoters” of the organisation, particularly when it comes to recommending the organisation to others not in membership.  

A clear steer has however been provided that ASVA should continue to shine a light on best practice within the industry, as well as sharing key industry insights and information across the membership. A renewed focus on training and development programmes on improving visitor experience and providing industry trends and insights is recommended and there is clear desire for ASVA to facilitate more networking opportunities for members over the next 12–24 months.  

The survey further shines a light on the key priorities for our members, and ASVA will seek to further prioritise the actions within our new business plan which most closely match those of our members.  

Our CEO, Gordon Morrison, will provide a more fulsome review of the survey results at the ASVA AGM, being held virtually at 10am on Tuesday 29th November - book your place here. 

With the main season at an end, ASVA and the Moffat Centre for Travel and Tourism Business Development are asking all Scottish attractions to complete our latest survey to help us ascertain current performance, prospects and confidence levels within the sector. We are particularly keen to assess how Scottish attractions have fared over the main season in 2022 and to examine the impact of the current cost of living crisis & increases in the cost of doing business on the sector.  

The data collected in the survey will be used to provide both the Scottish and UK Governments, as well as other key agencies and funding bodies with robust, up-to-date and specific information about the impact of rising costs, as well as the key wants and needs of our sector, both now and looking ahead to 2023.  
  
By completing this survey, you will help strengthen ASVA’s voice as we shine a light on how our sector is faring and continue to make the case for additional support beyond that already committed.  

Results will also, of course, be shared across ASVA members to help better inform you in your own decision making about the year ahead.  
  
We are grateful for your time to complete this important survey, which will remain open until midnight on Sunday 6 November. 

To undertake the survey, please click here.