We’re only here for the beer…
VisitScotland and the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) have launched Best Bars, a quality scheme designed to promote the best places for a pint in the country.
The decison for the two to join forces followings a survey which revealed that visitors made up a third of drinkers in Scottish pubs.
SLTA members will be listed on www.scotlandsbestbars.com, a new area on VisitScotland’s food and drink website. Other elements of the partnership include consideration of a new category for pubs and bars in VisitScotland’s annual Scottish Thistle Awards.
Bars will be assessed through an incognito visit by one of VisitScotland’s quality advisors. The assessment will look at factors from ambience and service to how the business encourages responsible drinking.
Rural Affairs secretary Richard Lochhead said: “Scotland’s licensed trade plays a crucial part of our tourism offering.
"Tourism brings a revenue of £4 billion and supports 200,000 jobs. One pound in every £5 spent by a visitor in Scotland is on food and drink related activities, therefore, it makes sense that the two industries work closely together."
Businesses who want to find out more about joining the Best Bars scheme or being listed on VisitScotland’s food and drink website should go to http://eatscotland.visitscotland.com/about-eatscotland.html
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
All eyes on Qatar as Qatar Airways leads a season of global events