Rallying call for north east trade

FOOD and drink businesses in Aberdeenshire are being called on to support a new marketing initiative aimed at attracting ‘gastro tourists’ to the area.

Organisers of the Foodfest15 initiative have appealed to local food producers, restaurateurs, hoteliers and retailers to get involved with the scheme, which looks to showcase local produce and promote the various events taking place across the area as part of the Year of Food and Drink.

Screen Shot 2015-04-27 at 14.50.15
Photo by Foodfest15.com

The project is a joint venture between Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership, Visit Royal Deeside and VisitAberdeen.

It will be supported by advertising, direct mail, social media activity and press trips.

Operators whose menus consist of at least 40% local produce can get involved through registering at dedicated website foodfest15.com.

Peter Medley, marketing director of VisitAberdeen, said: “We’re calling for everyone in the food and drink trade in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to be a part of FoodFest15 and use our great local produce to attract even more visitors to the north east.”

Visitors from Germany, Norway, Orkney, Shetland or within a two hour drive of the area will be targeted in the promotional drive, as well as English cities with direct flight routes to Aberdeenshire.