Become part of the STA community – Scotland’s overarching trade body for tourism and hospitality

With that small window of the summer season drawing to a close, we’re looking at some very challenging times ahead for all sectors of our tourism industry and with our core team all back in place after a period of furlough, we’ll be doing every single thing we can to support you.

Over the last five months particularly, the STA has cemented its position as a valued, trusted partner to many hundreds of tourism businesses all over the country from small independent owner operated businesses to large multi-national organisations.

We represent the varied interests of all sectors in our tourism economy, accommodation, hospitality and event venues of all types and sizes, destination groups, activity, adventure and travel operators, transport providers, visitor attractions, agritourism businesses, food and drink producers plus many more in the tourism supply chain right across the country – we are here for everybody and have a membership category to suit all.

The STA now has more than 70% of Scotland’s 14,500 core tourism business connected to us directly or indirectly through membership.  The demand for up-to-date information, representation, advice and signposting has surpassed anything we would have foreseen as an organisation; the traffic to the STA website increased by 600% throughout the first five months of the Covid-19 crisis in comparison to the previous year at that time.

We are recognised as one of the foremost, independent trade bodies in Scotland due to our continued growth, reach, strength of voice, professional expertise and talent and having built a strong position of influence in our relationships with the Scottish and UK governments, senior policy makers and civil servants over many years.

There has never been a time when Scottish tourism has needed this level of industry leadership and the STA remains totally focused and committed to representing your interests and helping your voice be heard by the people who need to hear it.

But…we couldn’t do what we do without you and we would like to pause for a moment to say a huge thank you to all of our members and Patrons who support us financially to represent your interests.

Anyone who knows our team will recognise that we don’t just do what we do because it’s our job; we care very much about you, your business, your suppliers and all who depend upon you and we work tirelessly to create better conditions to protect your business and grow a sustainable tourism industry for the future in these extraordinarily challenging times.

We are delighted to welcome many new businesses, micro to large from all sectors into our membership community over the last few months, many of whom have fed directly into our conversations with governments and senior officials. Being a member of the STA offers your business representation at the highest level, it gives you the opportunity to be part of a large and growing community and receive support, information and advice not only from us but through a direct connection with Scotland’s largest network of tourism businesses and our Patrons and supporters.

If you’re not a member and would like to find out more about becoming part of the STA, please email our Membership Manager, Mhairi Smith and she’ll chat you through various options that are available at the moment – mhairi.smith@stalliance.co.uk