Government-funded project with Geotourist and University of Dundee Goes Live
Over 20 partners from across Scotland are taking part in the innovative project between Geotourist and Dr Keith Dinnie, from the University of Dundee, with tours now live.
Geotourist is delighted to welcome East Lothian Council to the project and to the platform. Working with Geotourist, East Lothian Council has created the following tour:
The project seeks to identify and assess Geotourist’s unique economic and social benefits to Scottish tourism. Partners will have access to Geotourist’s data dashboard to assess and analyse the results following the busy summer months. Results will be released in an industry report co-authored by Dr Keith Dinnie and Geotourist CEO, Shaon Talukder, and an online event for Scottish tourism industry stakeholders.
The East Linton walk features the historic High Street and fountain, highlighting it as a great place to stop for some food and drink or shopping! It also takes in The Mart, Phantassie Doocot, Preston Mill and the Smeaton Estate as well as a host of other highlights. It will also link into the brand new train station when it is opened (due to happen in 2024).
Councillor John McMillan, East Lothian Council spokesperson for Environment, Economic Development and Tourism, said: “This is an exciting new interactive project which provides visitors with an informative tour in an around East Linton, one of East Lothian’s most picturesque inland villages. It can be accessed easily via the website or app and provides a wealth of information on the history of the village and its many local attractions. It actively encourages visitors to stop and spend some time at some of our local businesses too. I think this will be an added boost to walkers wanting to add an extra loop or stop-off point to the John Muir Way, or as a standalone day out. Of course, once the train station is opened, it will encourage even more visitors from Edinburgh and beyond to come and visit. I very much look forward to the feedback over the summer months from this new project, which I think will be a welcome boost to local businesses.”
The walk around East Linton will be live across the summer and beyond, with a measurement and analysis checkpoint in place to assess the data at the end of the summer.
Leveraging immersive storytelling as a way of accessing destinations, attractions and locations across Scotland, the pioneering project will measure engagement and assess the value of the tour, both socially and economically.
This project is funded by the Scottish Inward Investment Catalyst Fund administered by Interface.
Shaon Talukder, CEO, of Geotourist said: “We are overjoyed to welcome East Lothian Council onto the project. Working on this project with all of our partners has been a hugely rewarding experience and we’re only really starting out. The partner mix is enormously compelling with many different aspects of the Scottish visitor economy ready to be explored. Every tour is special because it captures truly authentic content that showcases why Scotland is a world-class destination for any tourist. Now, we’re going to be able to see where they travel from and what they travel for. This project will directly inform decision making and help to make the most of tight budgets. Alongside the practical and business-focused outcomes of the project, we must not forget the storytelling experience which connects visitors to the world around them.”
Dr Keith Dinnie, Reader in Marketing and Associate Dean Business and Community Engagement, University of Dundee School of Business, said: "I am delighted to see the wonderful range of destination stakeholder organisations that have agreed to participate in this ground-breaking project. Partners in the project come from all over Scotland, from the far north to the border with England in the south. Working with Geotourist on this project has been, and continues to be, an inspiring and highly productive experience.”
Howell Davies, Sector and Business Engagement Manager, Interface, said: “It’s great to see Geotourist Ltd, one of the successful applicants of the Inward Investment Catalyst Fund with the University of Dundee, making an immediate impact on the Scottish Tourism sector. The project will support companies to gain greater insight into those visiting Scotland to create even better experiences while adding value for the businesses and the wider sector. Through this exciting collaboration, Geotourist Ltd will be able to benefit from world class academic expertise and develop their Innovative platform with a focus on the Scottish Visitor economy which benefits everyone involved.”