You may not consider the west coast of Scotland a "must visit" for yachters, but a new European-funded program aims to promote this place as one of the world's most attractive cruising destinations.
Cool Route has been launched to help businesses share in the nation's PS3.7 billion ($A6.58 billion) marine tourism industry.
An invitational brochure targeting superyachts has been produced and small businesses are being urged to register on an online platform that links local enterprises to ports and provides information on attractions.
GCU's Moffat Centre is providing logistical, business and marketing support to help increase the number of vessels and bring wealthy tourists ashore.
A superyacht owned by US billionaire Richard DeVos was spotted moored in Greenock this summer, while the Eclipse, a 163.5 metre vessel owned by Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich, was seen in Inverclyde and Rothesay in the summer of 2015.
The Cool Route stretches around southern and western Ireland, across Northern Ireland and up the coast of western Scotland, to the Faroe Islands and Norway and is rated one of the most attractive sailing routes globally.
The booking platform offers self-registration for local businesses and more than 300 stopovers have been identified across the route.
Researchers from GCU have joined forces with British Marine Scotland and held workshops with marine operators in Oban and an event for local businesses at Largs Yacht Haven.
The Scottish leg of the Cool Route is split into four sections: Argyll and the Islands, the Firth of Clyde, Skye and the North West, and Orkney and Shetland.
Cool Route has been launched to help businesses share in the nation's PS3.7 billion ($A6.58 billion) marine tourism industry.
An invitational brochure targeting superyachts has been produced and small businesses are being urged to register on an online platform that links local enterprises to ports and provides information on attractions.
GCU's Moffat Centre is providing logistical, business and marketing support to help increase the number of vessels and bring wealthy tourists ashore.
A superyacht owned by US billionaire Richard DeVos was spotted moored in Greenock this summer, while the Eclipse, a 163.5 metre vessel owned by Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich, was seen in Inverclyde and Rothesay in the summer of 2015.
The Cool Route stretches around southern and western Ireland, across Northern Ireland and up the coast of western Scotland, to the Faroe Islands and Norway and is rated one of the most attractive sailing routes globally.
The booking platform offers self-registration for local businesses and more than 300 stopovers have been identified across the route.
Researchers from GCU have joined forces with British Marine Scotland and held workshops with marine operators in Oban and an event for local businesses at Largs Yacht Haven.
The Scottish leg of the Cool Route is split into four sections: Argyll and the Islands, the Firth of Clyde, Skye and the North West, and Orkney and Shetland.
Source: AAP
