Argyll & Isles Strategic Tourism Partnership Summit 2026 - Be a part of it!

It is the strategic forum that brings together tourism and hospitality businesses, destination leadership and public-sector partners to shape the future of the visitor economy in Argyll & the Isles.

 

At its core, AISTP exists to ensure that business voices directly inform destination priorities, investment decisions and delivery plans. It provides a structured way for operators to engage with partners, including Argyll & the Isles Tourism Cooperative, Argyll and Bute Council, VisitScotland, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and Loch Lomond National Park alongside community and sector representatives.

 

 

Why 2026 Must Be the Year We Unite

 

In 2026, tourism and hospitality in Argyll & the Isles stands at a crossroads, alongside Scotland’s broader visitor economy, shaped by rapid change, opportunity and real business challenges.

 

This Summit is not just an event; it’s a strategic moment for our community of operators, attractions, accommodation providers, food and drink producers, and partners to come together.

 

Across our region, we are seeing evolving visitor expectations, major geopolitical events on the horizon and new opportunities to grow sustainably, but also pressures on the cost of doing business, workforce, infrastructure and digital readiness that no single business can solve alone.

 

Scotland’s national tourism strategy, Scotland Outlook 2030, sets a bold vision for collaboration that places communities, people and the environment at the centre of our long-term success. It is through partnership that this vision will be achieved, with businesses working shoulder-to-shoulder with public bodies to share insights, shape priorities and translate strategy into action on the ground.

 

 

This gathering brings together industry leaders, experts, policy influencers and innovators because learning and inspiration matter. Hearing firsthand from analysts, sector specialists and fellow operators enriches our businesses with insight on workforce trends, technology transformation, market shifts and sustainability best practices. Open dialogue generates ideas that go beyond theory; it creates ideas we can implement locally.

 

Equally important is community collaboration. Tourism is not a solitary pursuit: it thrives on connection between businesses, between visitors and communities, and between regions and the world. Historic examples here in Argyll & the Isles show that when we co-create experiences and pool our voices, we expand opportunity for all of us, attract investment, and safeguard the places we love to share.

 

So come prepared to listen, learn and shape our collective future. Let’s inspire each other, challenge assumptions, and commit to cooperation that will make our destination more competitive, distinctive and resilient in 2026 and beyond.

 

Robert Kidd, Chair, Argyll & Isles Tourism Cooperative

 

Book your tickets

Hosts and guest speakers

 

Robert Kidd - Chair AITC and Co-Founder of McKinlay Kidd
> Argyll & Isles Tourism Sector: the need for collaboration & innovation
> Tourism industry leader with 30 years’ experience
> Founder and Trustee of McKinlay Kidd
> Champion of sustainable tourism in Scotland

 

Marc Crothall - STA Chair
> Current operating challenges
> Need for collaboration and growth through policy-making
> The opportunities the Summit creates for attendees

 

Cat Leaver - Director of Strategy and Competitive Intelligence, VisitScotland
> The opportunity for rural Scotland
> Using data and foresight to anticipate market trends
> Understanding tomorrow’s traveller – and what Argyll needs to do to meet their needs

 

Mike Stevenson - Author, Speaker
> How global examples can reignite imagination and innovation
> How the most inventive, category-shifting ideas often emerge in the most challenging moments
> What attendees can expect from the Summit

 

Joshua Ryan Saha - Director of Travel Tech
> How AI, automation, and augmented experiences are changing tourism
> The need for data-driven storytelling and destination intelligence
> What attendees can expect from the Summit

 

Peter Syme - Advisor, Speaker, Tourpreneur
> Global visitor behaviour is changing faster than destinations adapt
> How visitor AI adoption creates new value opportunities
> What attendees can expect from the Summit

 

David Adams-McGilp - Regional Director, Argyll & Isles VisitScotland
> Expert in marine, coastal, and heritage tourism
> Senior adviser and representative across national tourism bodies
> Opportunities for Argyll - VS Support for the region

 

Cathy Craig - CEO, Argyll and the Isles Tourism Cooperative
> Proven leader in business growth and strategic transformation
> Extensive experience across tourism, transport, and enterprise
> Highly respected industry voice and award-winning advocate for women in tourism
> AITC performance and ongoing support for the region

GET YOUR TICKET/S TODAY

Earlybird Tickets for AITC/Wild About Argyll Members £35
Earlybird Tickets for non-members £45
Includes acccess to all sessions and a fabulous lunch!

Be an important part of the conversation. We look forward to seeing you.