All British Hospitality Association (BHA) members in Scotland are invited to attend Scotland United 2005, the annual conference to address key tourism issues affecting the region.

Sponsored by the BHA in partnership with Scottish Tourism Forum, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, and Visit Scotland, Scotland United 2005 will be held at St Andrews Bay Golf Resort & Spa on Monday 21 November.

The BHA will be hosting a champagne reception and dinner on the evening of Sunday 20 November, and hopes many of its members in Scotland will attend.

The aim of this year’s conference is to ensure that the ‘pride and passion’ of the industry is heard at the top levels of government and that the views of the industry are understood and reflected in the policies of the Scottish Executive, enterprise agencies and Visit Scotland.

Keynote speaker will be Patricia Ferguson MSP, Minister for Tourism, who will unveil the developing thinking behind a new vision and strategy for tourism in Scotland.

The Minister is also expected to field questions from delegates to see if the vision and strategy is on the right lines, and what amendments are required to ensure that industry will be able to endorse and buy-in to the new Strategy.

The conference will also examine where tourism will be in the next 10 to 20 years – for example, what markets will grow, what the consumer will look like, and how world events such as terrorism, avian flu, and changing demographics will impact on Scottish tourism.

In addition, areas such as the quality assurance agenda, business costs, planning legislation (including hearing from an expert about the best way to navigate the planning system) and from the transport sector will also come under consideration.

For more information, or to request a booking form, please contact: Scotland United 2005, 21 – 23 Slater’s Steps, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8PB, telephone +44 (0)131 272 2130, e-mail: [email protected] or visit the website at www.holyrood.com