New EmbraceScotland Visitor Website and Jackets Optional Campaign Film Launched

SCOTLAND’S tourism industry is set for a boost with the launch of an exciting new venture to help visitors book the best self-catering accommodation in the country.

EmbraceScotland, from the Association of Scotland’s Self Caterers (ASSC), is the online go-to destination for tourists to custom-build their stay on these shores.

The new campaign, called ‘Jackets Optional’, features both the launch of the brand new web portal for visitors to Scotland, from near and far, and a specially produced film, which showcases the best that Scotland has to offer, whatever the weather. 

The web portal empowers holidaymakers to book unique self-catering holiday cottages directly with operators and provides potential guests with breaks in ‘the real Scotland’, giving holiday let owners a commission-free booking platform bringing engaged guests to their self-catering holiday home.

The film, a legacy to build on VisitScotland’s Year of Stories 2022, not only gets to the heart of the beauty and serenity of our country, but it also shows the nostalgia and the sensory overload you can experience in Scotland. The film conveys that a self-catering holiday in Scotland can be about relaxation, or it can be an adventure. It could be an adrenaline rush, or it could just be about getting away from everything you’re used to, whether you need a jacket or not.

Fiona Campbell, Chief Executive of the Association of Self-Caterers, said“Scotland has so much to offer every visitor to our country. Unrivaled beauty, striking landscapes, peace and tranquility, and even occasional inclement weather. We are delighted to launch our platform and accompanying film today, to showcase all that Scotland has to offer. Scotland has some of the best destinations anywhere in the world and we want to make it as easy as possible for people planning to visit to find them.”

Vicki Miller, Visit Scotland Director of Marketing, said“Digital channels play a significant role in marketing Scotland both domestically and internationally, helping consumers research and book their trips. Our own research shows that people are seeking out emotional connections when they choose to travel. The EmbraceScotland film shows the variety of what’s on offer, year-round, to meet those needs and boost visitors’ wellbeing.”  

Jackie Robertson, Owner Knoydart Hide, said: “Doing things differently… a stay at Knoydart Hide and Knoydart House Studio Room begins from the moment you step into our world. The slow adventure starts with an individualised and direct personal booking experience to our award-winning honeymoon hideaways. We know how important family and reconnection time is, it’s not just about the hot tub under the stars, the breakfast in bed views to die for or the dolphins escorting your ferry across the loch.  We live and love to create magic for our guests. Going under the radar and above the parapet to share with you our unique sense of place in the West Coast of Scotland where you can slow down beautifully. Cultures, traditions, landscapes, music and people all waiting to be discovered only through EmbraceScotland.”

Embrace Scotland ‘Jackets Optional’ Campaign Film

Editor’s Notes

For more information, contact Victoria Brooks: victoria@assc.co.uk 07868 339404, Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers

John Crawford (john@halogencom.com) or Fraser McGowan, (fraser@halogencom.comHalogen Communications, 0131 202 0120 or 07999 059089.

A selection of images are available to use with the Press Release on request and the film can be found at embracescotland.co.uk and on EmbraceScotland’s social channels.

Association of Scotland’s Self Caterers

Founded in 1978, the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) represents over 1,700 members, operating self-catering properties throughout Scotland, from city centre apartments to rural cottages, to lodges and chalets, to castles. Our vision is that the ASSC takes the leading role in advancing a vibrant and prosperous self-catering sector recognised as pivotal to the future of Scotland’s tourism economy. Our purpose is to empower our diverse and professional membership, enabling them to deliver exceptional experiences to guests. Our focus is on supporting businesses and communities in the promotion of Scottish self-catering as a sustainable, inclusive and responsible form of accommodation.

https://www.assc.co.uk

PQ on Delay

S6W-13624: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 05/01/2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether relevant stakeholders, including PLACE and community councils, were consulted before it took the decision to delay the implementation of commercial short-term let licensing by six months.

Answered by Shona Robison: We are not delaying the implementation of commercial short-term let licensing. Licensing schemes opened in October 2022, and new hosts must now apply for, and obtain, a licence before accepting bookings or receiving guests. Local authorities continue to receive applications from new and existing hosts.

In recognition of the wider cost of living crisis that is placing pressure on existing short-term let hosts and businesses, we have announced that we will introduce legislation in January 2023 to extend the deadline for existing hosts to apply for a licence from 1 April 2023 to 1 October 2023.

This is not a pause and we encourage hosts to keep applying throughout.

S6W-13625: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 05/01/2023

To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons it is delaying the implementation of commercial short-term let licensing by six months.Answered by Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-13624 on‎ 20 January 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

ASSC Launch New EmbraceScotland Website and ‘Jackets Optional’ Marketing Campaign

We’re delighted to share with you the news that the ASSC has today officially launched the EmbraceScotland website and consumer marketing campaign ‘Jackets Optional‘.

As part of the campaign we will be releasing an exciting new film on Tuesday 24th January – be ready to be inspired and to share as far and wide as possible. Thank you!

The ‘Jackets Optional’ campaign aims to inspire visitors to book directly with the self-catering owner through the new EmbraceScotland website. Inspirational and authentic content will be shared through storytelling, film and beautiful images of Scotland. The campaign film supports the legacy of VisitScotland’s Year of Stories 2022 and not only gets to the heart of the beauty and serenity of our country, but it also shows the nostalgia and the sensory overload you can experience in Scotland. It explains that a self-catering holiday in Scotland can be about relaxation or it can be an adventure. It could be an adrenaline rush, or it could just be about getting away from everything you’re used to. And on the odd occasion, you may not need to bring a jacket.

Own it, Share it, Embrace It!

By sharing this campaign far and wide, you will be supporting local businesses by encouraging visitors to book directly with the owner and helping us to promote Scottish self-catering as a sustainable, inclusive and responsible form of accommodation at the heart of Scotland’s tourism offer. There is no better time than now to support a sector so vital to Scottish Tourism with a worth of £867 million to the Scottish Economy.

Website embracescotland.co.uk is a marketing platform developed by the ASSC and is for professional self-caterers in Scotland to showcase their property and encourage direct bookings for exceptional experiences. The website aims to give the consumer confidence that they are booking with operators who adhere to the ASSC member ‘Commitment to Quality Scheme’ maintaining the principles of “quality, integrity, cleanliness, comfort, courtesy and efficiency” and to offering visitors to Scotland consistently high standards within their self-catering.

Hashtags

  • The campaign hashtag is #EmbraceJacketWeather
  • We also encourage the use of #EmbraceScotland

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