Thaindian News

New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) A tourism and trade delegation from Scotland will visit India from Sunday to promote business, tourism, golf, culture and education, an official said Saturday.

“The trade mission provides an excellent opportunity to strengthen Indo-Scottish links across a range of sectors where Scotland has real strengths and expertise,” said Alex Salmond, first minister of Scotland.

According to the official, the delegation will visit New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai and hold series of workshops and sales calls Oct 10-15.

“Scotland will have a significant presence in India next week and the trade delegation will be working hard to secure jobs and investment to Scotland and promote our country as a great place to live, to work, to study and to visit,” he said.

Scottish Development International (SDI), Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI), VisitScotland and Scottish tourism partners will also join the minister.

According to VisitScotland, it has so far hosted more than 140 Indian travel operators including Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Jet Airways key accounts and Kingfisher Airlines key accounts.

“The Indian market offers a real opportunity for Scotland’s business and brands, with Scotland able to offer the type of destination experience that visitors from India enjoy,” said a statement.

India has become one of Scotland’s most important emerging markets, where approximately 16,000 Indians visit every year, worth an average of &pound10 million to the Scottish economy.