TOURISM businesses from the Borders showcased the very best the region has to offer at this year’s VisitScotland expo - the national tourism organisation’s flagship travel trade event.

Over 250 Scottish tourism businesses exhibited to hundreds of tour operators from all over the world at VisitScotland expo, which took place at Glasgow’s SECC on April 2 and 3 April.

Now in its 35th year, the event provides a fantastic opportunity for face-to-face meetings with those who organise group trips to Scotland.

Scottish Borders Group Travel Itineraries, Borders Food & Drink Network, Bowhill House & Country Estate, Abbotsford the Home of Sir Walter Scott, Scottish Borders Area Tourism Partnership, Gunsgreen House, Floors Castle, Homecoming Scottish Borders and Traquair House were all represented at the business-to-business event.

In addition to the trade show, VisitScotland organised a series of 'familiarisation trips’ for those visiting expo. These excursions allow UK and international tour operators to experience the Scottish Borders first-hand and include the destination on travel itineraries for their own customers. Five familiarisation trips will be visiting the Scottish Borders including a dedicated golf trip to experience the excellent courses in the region.

Buyers from the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Russia and Italy have been visiting with their itinerary including lunch and play at the Roxburghe Hotel & Golf Resort and a visit to The Buccleuch Arms Hotel in St Boswells. The buyers stayed at Cringletie House Hotel near Peebles playing Peebles Golf Course as well as visiting the MacDonald Cardrona Hotel.

A UK trip will take buyers, guided by Borders Journeys, to local attractions including Johnstons of Elgin Hawick Visitor Centre Mill, Traquair House and Macdonald Cardrona Hotel Golf & Country Club at Peebles, Abbotsford the Home of Sir Walter Scott, Bowhill Country House at Selkirk and Floors Castle near Kelso.