Venture North is a co-operative organisation bringing together tourism businesses from the private and voluntary sector across Caithness and Sutherland to work together for the benefit of the area.
On Thursday December 4, a launch event was hosted at Mackay’s Hotel, Wick and was attended by various figures from the Scottish tourist scene.
The launch also doubled up as a networking event and a recruitment drive to seek new members and featured an impressive cocktail demonstration by Caithness Mixologist Simon Collier.
Talking at Venture North’s launch event, chair Ellie Lamont, said: “We waited until now to launch Venture North officially so we would have active projects underway to show our collaborative work.
“A huge amount of time and effort has been made getting to this stage and when we see the live projects we know it's been worthwhile.
“With the support of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Caithness Business Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, HubNorth Scotland, our members and our supporters, our visions are turning into reality.
“We hope to encourage more people to join up with us and become a powerful force for tourism in the North.”
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has recently shown its support by committing £150,000 to the group which will be used to fund various projects. Currently under development is a new website and a smart phone app aimed at making the north’s rich heritage more accessible.
Nigel Lowe, NDA Head of Programme - Dounreay, said: “The NDA believes that Venture North will be an important catalyst to stimulate the tourism sector. Venture North is taking forward a two year programme designed to do just that.
“The area benefits from numerous good tourism businesses and these must be sustained and developed, while at the same time we would like to see new tourism businesses established and nurtured.
“I wish Venture North every success as they play their part in the economic future of Caithness and Sutherland, helping to sustain existing jobs and bring new tourism jobs to the area.”
NHC Online has been appointed to develop the smart phone app which is due to be unveiled shortly, with Strathnaver Museum pulling together the wealth of heritage site facts and working to identify the many important sites scattered throughout the north which will be featured on the app.
There are also plans to hold a Venture North food festival in the autumn of 2015 and in August this year the organisation will be holding a festival to celebrate the north’s rich archaeology.
