The SSDA continues to be committed to a locally-led approach to destination development, with meetings every six months across the region, bringing together all the local businesses and communities to listen to local priorities, build collaborations, plan delivery and help power the visitor economy. 

Following our successful series of meetings around the South of Scotland July-Sept 2023, we are returning to all 14 areas this February to: 

• Share the completed Responsible Tourism Strategy, show where local voices have influenced this, and explore how we ensure local businesses benefit. 
• Show our progress against the 100 local action priorities businesses gave us from the last meetings and agree next steps for all. 
• Update on our seasonality marketing campaign, which businesses fed into.  
• Preview the new local area landing pages on the Scotland Starts Here website and app, and agree local edits. 
• Share experience, learning and build new local collaborations between businesses. 

Destinations succeed when businesses and communities work together: this is why we are hosting these meetings.  We want to be locally-led. 

Join us at your local Locally Led Destination Development meeting to get involved and start benefitting. 

Light refreshments will be provided, please let us know of any dietary requirements.

SSDA is supported by SOSE, VisitScotland, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Scottish Borders Council, and received £2.7million over five years in 2020 from SOSE.