Monday, 21 February 2011

Do We Make the Most of our Literary Tourism?

Interesting article in the P&J over the weekend looking at the literary hiertitage of Scotland through a new publication. It's one of those obvious things to do on your hotel website or email marketing but how often is it actually done.


For example if you had a hotel near the Brig o' Doon in Alloway would you not immerse your online visitors and real guests with the story of Tam o' Shanter, the witch and the horses tail? Well yes you probably should...


The article stated that,

"The bookworms’ tour of Scotland features attractions like Kilmarnock Arms Castle at Cruden Bay, where Bram Stoker penned Dracula, and Aberdeen Grammar School, which counts Lord Byron among its former pupils.

Literary Scotland: A Traveller’s Guide highlights 60 locations throughout the country, including the stunning settings for world-famous novels, the scenery that inspired poets and the birthplaces of some of the country’s most distinguished writers. It will be available from VisitScotland information centres and online from Monday.

The guide was written by Alan Riach, a noted poet and Professor of Scottish Literary Studies at Glasgow University. He said he hoped it would encourage readers to get out and explore the land which has inspired so many writers."

“So many people – whether visitors or resident Scots – might not know how steeped in literature the landscapes they drive through or live in really are.”

Scottish author Iain Banks, writer of more than 20 novels, including the Bridge, Complicity and the Crow Road, said the guide was “a valuable introduction to the many fascinating links between Scotland and literature”.

VisitScotland chairman Mike Cantlay said: “Scotland has been a rich source of inspiration for writers for centuries. We have seen a lot of interest from people visiting film locations in Scotland, so we hope the literary angle will have a similar effect.”

Read the full article at the Press and Journal more:

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