A VIRTUAL event showcasing East Lothian with tour operators and travel agents from across the globe is being held next week.

Scotland Reconnect 2020 takes place from Monday to Wednesday and offers international travel agents the opportunity to connect and do business with Scottish suppliers online.

Events including VisitScotland’s annual Expo travel trade showcase and programmes of business development missions have been rendered impossible by Covid-19 restrictions.

New digital platforms, like Reconnect, have been developed and will see some 200 buyers undertake virtual meetings with about 200 Scottish tourism businesses, including Visit East Lothian.

Elaine Carmichael, from Visit East Lothian, said: “We are looking forward to showcasing East Lothian to the travel trade at Scotland Reconnects.

“It is vitally important that we are working to do all that we can to support our industry at this time and planning and looking to future opportunities is a key part of this.

“It is encouraging to see the number and variety of buyers looking to engage and seeking to develop their knowledge and offer.

“This event gives us the opportunity to ensure that East Lothian is front of mind and is included as part of that offer when the time is right to travel and visit Scotland again.”

Buyers from the USA, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Holland, Scandinavia, Australia and Brazil are attending Scotland Reconnect 2020, as well as London-based inbound operators representing the Japanese and Chinese markets. 

In addition to facilitating some 4,000 business meetings, there will also be live webinars, round table discussions and breakout sessions, an online presentation hub and virtual experiences demonstrating what Scotland can offer buyers’ clients.

John Thurso, VisitScotland’s chairman, will open and close Scotland Reconnect 2020.