UHI Tourism Knowledge Exchange Group
Knowledge exchange and innovation are at the heart of the university’s mission to serve the Highlands and Islands, Moray, Perthshire, and beyond. We collaborate with local and global stakeholders to ensure our research delivers meaningful impact and contributes to the sustainability of our communities.
Scotland’s national tourism strategy, Outlook 2030, highlights the sector’s vital role in the economy. In 2018 alone, overnight visitors and day-trippers spent approximately £10.4 billion, contributing around £7 billion to Scotland’s Gross Domestic Product. The industry supports over 200,000 jobs across the country and is arguably most critical in the Highlands and Islands.
At UHI, tourism is approached with a global perspective. Our staff are engaged in a diverse array of innovative tourism projects, including the cruise industry, regenerative tourism, artificial intelligence applications, and digital interpretation of cultural heritage.
Tourism featured prominently in our submission to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), where UHI ranked first in Scotland overall and joint first in the UK for research impact in Area Studies.
Tourism is a cornerstone of community sustainability across the Highlands and Islands, and the insights developed here have the potential to inform and inspire tourism practices around the world.
Our aim and our work
Tourism is a vital industry for our regions, and UHI is committed to supporting sustainable growth. In response to this strategic priority, our academic departments have come together to form the UHI Tourism Knowledge Exchange Group—a collaborative hub of expertise designed to support tourism development.
This group serves as a one-stop shop for professional advice, resources, and training in a wide range of tourism-related fields, including:
- Continuing professional development (CPD) for tourism businesses
- Digital marketing for tourism
- Hospitality and customer service training
- Museums and heritage development
- Tourist guiding training
- World Heritage Site management
We also have extensive experience in securing funding for small-scale knowledge exchange initiatives. Whether you're looking to enhance an existing tourism offering or launch a new project, we can support you in identifying and applying for appropriate funding opportunities.