Desiree Regusoni paid an unexpected visit to South Ayrshire after winning a free trip to the area as a result of entering a competition at Bergamo airport near Milan.

Italians and other Europeans have easy access to South Ayrshire as Ryanair runs a daily flight to Prestwick from Bergamo. Earlier this year representatives from South Ayrshire Council and VisitScotland Prestwick (formerly the Ayrshire and Arran Tourist Board), spoke to travellers who passed through the departure zone of Bergamo airport to raise awareness of what South Ayrshire has to offer travellers.

A display stand, promotional video, literature written in Italian and the opportunity to enter a free competition and win a dream trip to Scotland attracted large numbers of Italians. Many chose to leave contact details with the staff at the stand so that they can be updated about future events in South Ayrshire.

The prize draw took place at the end of April 2005 and Desiree Regusoni was the lucky winner, and invited Luisellie Zaira to accompany her on her trip to Scotland. The prize included:

• Return flights from Bergamo to Prestwick - courtesy of Ryanair.
• Two nights stay in the Fairfield House Hotel, Ayr – courtesy of the hotel.
• Two tickets to the Burns an ‘a’ That Culzean Gala Concert – courtesy of VisitScotland.

Whilst at the Burns an ‘a’ That Culzean Gala Concert Desiree and Luisellie met Tom Cairns, the Council’s Chief Executive, who said: “The display stand at Bergamo airport was a great way of promoting South Ayrshire, and the competition seems to have been very popular.

“It was my pleasure to meet the winner of the competition and her companion, and I hope that they will return home and let their friends and family know what a warm welcome is given to Italians and other European visitors in this area.

The visit to Italy was one of a series of promotional ‘roadshows’ that will take place over the next two years as part of the Developing Active Regions and Sustainable Tourism (DART) project. DART is a 3 year programme funded by the Council with support from the Interreg IIIB North-West Europe programme, and involves partners from Germany and Ireland.

The aim of DART is to examine and test the best ways to maximise the benefits to tourism from passengers using low cost airlines. The DART German partners were also at Bergamo airport and took the opportunity to showcase their area.

Pictured at the Burns an ‘a’ That Culzean Gala Concert are (left to right) Luiselli Zaira who accompanied her friend Desiree Regusoni who won the competition with Tom Cairns, Chief Executive of South Ayrshire Council and Catriona Mackie, Area Director VisitScotland, Prestwick

May 2005