Tourism Development for Lithuanian Delegates

The Moffat Centre has undertaken several learning journeys in recent years, covering both UK and international destinations.  The primary focus of these learning programmes has been to co-ordinate individual business and/or public sector representatives’ development interests with wider destination objectives

The latest learning journey took place during September and October 2009 and took the form of a Scottish learning programme developed for delegates from the municipalities of Ukmerge and Utena in Lithuania.

These delegates were provided with a practical based intensive programme focusing on rural tourism development.  The learning programme comprised of two forms of delivery:

-    Classroom based theory and practical study of tourism development

-    Learning visits to tourism organisations and individual businesses who work in rural Scotland

Programme content was informed by five overarching key themes which were incorporated into the programme delivery:

1.    Making a business case for tourism developments;

2.    Analysing tourism business capability;

3.    Hosting and evaluating the success of events

4.    Rural destination development and marketing

The content of the programme was tailored to meet the needs of delegates.  Participants were provided with a learning handbook covering all programme activity, including classroom content and the learning visits itinerary.

Classroom based workshops covered:

•    Events

•    Tourism in Scotland

•    Destination Marketing

•    Sustainability in tourism

Delegates visited the following sites to observe best practice in a real setting, focusing onretail, events and destination marketing:

•    New Lanark World Heritage Site

•    Wigton literary book town

•    Tullibardine Distillery

•    Balmaha, Loch Lomond Waterfront Lodges

•    Cream O’ Galloway Farm and Visitor Centre  

For more information:

• Lithuania Tourism