Students to aid new tourist push
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A NEW project aims to identify innovative ways to market the region to the next generation of visitors.
Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards (HITA) has teamed up with Inverness College UHI to challenge visual design and communication students to produce a strategy specifically aimed at inspiring future travellers.
The contest, being held as part of the Year of Young People, is looking for creative ideas and attractions for a target audience aged between eight and 26.
Students will be asked to create designs and branding that can be used across social media, digital, print and broadcast platforms, as well as new ways to engage with potential tourists.
The top three entries will present their ideas to the judging panel and the winner will have their campaign showcased at the HITA ceremony, to be held this year on November 2 at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness.
In addition, a student from the college’s drama department will be chosen to host the awards ceremony alongside a professional presenter in a first for the event.
Drama students shortlisted by the department will submit a video to HITA demonstrating their presenting skills and the lucky winner will jointly compere the awards evening in front of more than 320 leading industry professionals from across the region and beyond.
HITA chairman Craig Ewan said: "This is an exciting challenge for the students and one that will give the industry fresh ideas for engaging with tomorrow’s visitors.
"We want innovative designs that are transferrable across all traditional media platforms, as well as other ways we can market the area.
"We are also looking for young, talented individual to co-present the awards ceremony. Who knows, this could be a platform for a new career for someone."
Rachel Burgess, on the visual communication and design BA (Hons) degree, said: "This is a fantastic project for our students to be involved in and an amazing opportunity to showcase their talents."
