BusinessBulletin JUNE 2015 Tourism focus GETTING A TASTE FOR TOURISM PAGE | 26 PAGE | 06 PAGE | 12 PAGE | 18 TOURISM COVER FEATURE WORKING TOGETHER RAISING THE WHY DO WE OUR FOCUS WHISKY GALORE TO PROMOTE THE STANDARD FOR THE RUN OUR THIS MONTH REGION HOTEL SECTOR HOME DOWN? Chamber Viewpoint All change DURING the run-up to the General The main “opposition” - at national Election, your Chamber produced a level from Labour and at Scottish level JUNE 2015 manifesto for the North-east, entitled from the SNP - should help us to raise “Strong and Sustainable” which the profile of the following priorities identified that members wanted for business which they support but the next UK government to reduce do not feature in the Conservative unfair costs to business; devolve manifesto. powers appropriately; future-proof UK We will need to work with Labour and energy generation; help address skills the SNP to win these arguments: CHAMBER VIEWPOINT | shortages; support exporters; invest in our energy future; and improve the • establishing a British Business Bank region’s transport connections. which addresses market failure (Lab, SNP); Now that the dust has settled from the • reform of the points-based system election, we can assess the impact on for immigration for foreign students business by looking at the promises and skilled workers (SNP); in the manifestos published by each • investment to counter-act negative party. HS2 impact on Aberdeen (Lab) We can see where there is a match There are also some issues which are with the Conservative UK government, important to business but invisible in and where there is a match with the party manifestos, so we have a the SNP majority representation of fight on our hands to achieve progress Scottish seats. on these issues. There are also issues which have the • the devolution of immigration support of the other opposition parties powers to the Scottish Parliament so with a seat in Scotland – Labour and that we can meet skill shortages; the Liberal Democrats. • beefed-up support for exporters; All four of the parties publicly • commitment to implement the supported the following, so we just findings of the Sir Howard Davies need to make sure that they deliver Airports Commission on additional air these promises: capacity in the south-east of England • the prompt devolution of air To achieve some progress, passenger duty to the Scottish business will want and Parliament; expect the UK Conservative • the delivery of the recommendations Government and the 56 SNP of the Smith Commission; elected representatives to • investment in broadband work together for enterprise. Both the Conservatives and the SNP The Chamber manifesto publicly supported the following, so called for more collaboration we just need to get them to recognise between the UK and that they agree, and work together to Scottish governments deliver: especially on energy supply issues. • a review of business rates; • the introduction of a long-term To achieve some progress investment allowance; for business, your Chamber • CCS at Peterhead; will work with our elected • our city region deal representatives. Robert Collier Chief Executive 3 We thank our Premier Partners Premier for their continued support of Partners the Chamber. Want to learn more? Contact Liam Smyth, Membership Director T 01224 343920 E [email protected] 4 JUNE Contents 2015 Focus on Tourism Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce Features The Hub Exploration Drive Aberdeen Energy Park Bridge of Don Aberdeen AB23 8GX T 01224 343900 E [email protected] www.agcc.co.uk Affiliated Chambers 12 Moray Raising the President standard for the Alec Carstairs hotel sector T 01224 343911 E [email protected] Bulletin Team Editor Joanna Fraser T 01224 343926 E [email protected] 06 18 News Features Graeme Smith Media Working together Why do we T 01224 275833 to promote run our home the region down? Advertising Lori Smith T 01224 343905 E [email protected] Regulars PAGE | Design & Production Keiran Smart POLICY UPDATE T 01224 343934 Chamber writes to new Energy Minister 32 E [email protected] BUSINESS LESSONS I'VE LEARNED Craig Stevenson of Bon Accord & St Nicholas 36 HOT TOPIC Which is your favourite restaurant? 38 TRAINING & EVENTS CALENDAR Dates for your diary 42 ON THE MOVE 44 Cover image Who is going places in the region? Whisky drinkers are driving growth in visitor numbers See feature on page 26 5 “When we speak to visitors… they say 'We didn't know it was like this. It's amazing. We thought it might be all oil industry?'” JUNE 2015 Simon Ovenden General manager, FEATURE | National Trust Scotland Castle Fraser 6 Tourism Feature Working together JUNE 2015 to promote FEATURE | the region CASTLE Fraser, the imposing 16th century baronial tower house near Inverurie, recently hosted a dinner for 1,100 guests from all over the world to demonstrate all that is good about the North-east National Trust for and Scotland. Scotland has nine properties in this area The event provided a break from business for those Castle Fraser, Garden & “The dinner at attending the Routes Europe 2015 conference in Aberdeen Estate Castle Fraser … has which gave airlines, airports and tour operators a chance to meet, and the city and shire the opportunity to encourage Craigievar Castle been a fantastic them to make the North-east a destination. demonstration Crathes Castle, Garden & of how different The National Trust for Scotland plays a significant role in the Estate area's tourism, attracting people from all over the world, as organisations can pull Drum Castle, Garden & well as locally, to their nine properties in the area. together to deliver Estate something huge” Simon Ovenden is general manager for Aberdeenshire, with Fyvie Castle the exception of Mar Lodge, and he believes it is vital for Simon Ovenden everyone involved to promote the area. Haddo House General manager, Simon is something of a walking advert for Scotland having Leith Hall, Garden & National Trust Scotland forsaken a lucrative job in the south-east of England to "do Estate something I really wanted to do". Mar Lodge Estate & Mar After many years in the corporate business world, he went Lodge to work for the National Trust in England where his roles Pitmedden Garden included being property manager for the White Cliffs of Dover and 18 properties in Kent, however five or six times a year he travelled to Scotland on holiday. Two years ago he made the permanent move north of the border and seven months ago took over his present post. "I have loved Scotland and everything it has on offer for more years than I can remember," he said. "I am an outdoors person but there is also the heritage, the history and it has always amazed me. "I have a personal passion for this country and whilst native Scots are here through circumstances of their birth, I am Drum Castle Fyvie Castle in Scotland purely through individual choice and love of wanting to be here. "What did surprise me when I first came to this job was the number of individual tourism groups across the shire which was certainly far more than I had anticipated or had encountered before. “I have wondered how joined-up our tourism offer is with this large number of different groups and how effectively we are pulling together. “This is something which is being discussed at various meetings across the shire. 7 Tourism Feature JUNE 2015 FEATURE | "I think it important that we all work As well as visitor attractions they are very together. While all these groups have their popular hospitality venues for weddings and own individual value, what we need is joined- can cater for everything from small functions Craigievar Castle up thinking that sits behind that. right up to major events such as the Routes Europe 2015 dinner. “I have loved “It is vitally important if we are going maximise the potential of Aberdeenshire as "Our properties are primary locations for Scotland and a tourism destination. many corporate functions and events and everything it has through our consistent high standards “There is great potential and we have some on offer for more and spectacular locations we have gained very good international flight connections an enviable reputation as being venues of years than I can coming into the area which we can capitalise choice for many of the major companies remember” on. across the city and shire. Simon Ovenden "We were one of the major sponsors and “We are also seeing an increasing number stakeholders for the dinner at Castle Fraser of inquiries from London and across the which has been a fantastic demonstration of UK from companies which want to have a how different organisations can pull together function which is a little bit different. to deliver something huge. "The market is quite fluid and we need to "We are working with organisations like be able to react quickly and respond to the Royal Deeside DMO (destination changes. We are not afraid of investing management organisation), the in those areas when and where it is Aberdeenshire City and Shire Tourism appropriate." Partnership, VisitAberdeen and Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen & Grampian He said one example of that was a Chamber of Commerce. significant investment in Preston Tower at Fyvie Castle to upgrade the accommodation "Aberdeen city and shire has its reputation to a very high standard. as the oil capital of Europe but there is a lot more to it than that. "It is of the highest quality in terms of facilities and furnishings which might be "It is the most amazing place to work and demanded by corporate parties coming live and when we speak to visitors at our from further afield who want to stay at the properties who perhaps haven't previously castle.