Aberdeen and Grampian's tourism businesses will turn out in record numbers to represent the region at Scotland's premier tourism event, VisitScotland EXPO, which opens at 10am on Wednesday April 21, 2004, at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.

27 organisations from the North-east will take their place on Aberdeen and Grampian Tourist Board's 300 sqm pavilion to promote tourism in the area to over a thousand buyers from the UK and overseas.

Shopkeepers in Aberdeen have been informed of the event and told to expect extra demand during the two-day exhibition and the Lord Provost, John Reynolds, will be delivering a personal letter of welcome to the hotel rooms of those taking part in the event.

Ian Dunlop, Aberdeen and Grampian Tourist Board's chief executive, said: "The VisitScotland EXPO is a superb opportunity to highlight our area to the tourism travel trade. The Aberdeen and Grampian Tourist Board pavilion will be the largest at the event and we have been encouraged by the number of tourist businesses from our area who are supporting our pavilion.

"Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray Council will all be represented and this shows how the entire region is united in its enthusiasm for this event.

"Hotchilli Design of Westhill has done a great job in producing graphics for our pavilion and this will highlight all that is unique about Aberdeen and Grampian."

The VisitScotland EXPO event takes place at the AECC on Wednesday April 21 and Thursday April 22, 2004. It is hoped that this annual exhibition will return to Aberdeen on a regular basis.

Exhibitors include: Skene House Suites, The Marcliffe At Pitfodels, Banff and Macduff Steering Group, Turriff and District Ltd, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Moray Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise, Golf In Aberdeen and Grampian Highlands, Whyte's Coach Tours, Aberdeen 4 x 4, Eight Acres Hotel, Johnstons Cashmere Visitor Centre, Balmoral Estates, Chivas Brothers, Craigellachie Hotel of Speyside, The Glenfiddich Distillery, Caledonian Heritage Tours, Minmore House Hotel, Golf Spey Bay, Best Of British Classics, Towns Together, Barclay's Hotel, Cairngorms National Park Authority, Undiluted Scotland.com, Moray Council, Aberdeen Hotels Association, Seafield Hotel.