Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Andy Hill, gave a warm South Ayrshire welcome to 44 representatives of the Bergamo Slow Food Group from Italy when they visited Ayr.

The group, which has a particular interest in high quality locally grown food, had been touring Scotland, and before flying home via the Ryanair daily flight from Prestwick International Airport to Bergamo, they gained a special insight into the delights of South Ayrshire.

A presentation in English and Italian was given at Ayr Town Hall highlighting the many attractions and facilities on offer to those visiting South Ayrshire. A lunch at Ayr Town Hall enabled the group to sample a range of locally grown food contributed by a variety of local producers.

Councillor Hill said: “The visitors from Italy had an opportunity to taste some of the best food that this area has to offer.

“Although their time here was short, many members of the group told me that they were eager to visit again and experience some more of the fine local food which is served in a range of establishments across South Ayrshire. In addition a longer visit would also allow the Italians to appreciate the scenic beauty, the wide range of attractions, events and activities, as well as the variety of accommodation available to suit all budgets.

“Groups of visitors such as these are great ambassadors for South Ayrshire, as they return home and tell people of the great economic and recreational opportunities in this part of Scotland. I hope that their enthusiasm for South Ayrshire will encourage members of their families, friends and business colleagues to come and visit Scotland.”

The Bergamo Slow Food Group visited South Ayrshire as a direct result of links established earlier this year when representatives of the Council and Visitscotland Prestwick spent a day promoting South Ayrshire in Bergamo airport near Milan.

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 three 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.

The Group had a busy schedule but fitted in a visit to Fouters Restaurant in Ayr, a member of the Ayrshire Food Network, who actively promote quality locally grown produce. In the short time they had available the Group also managed to visit Whighams and Rabbies Drams to sample some of their wares, and Beggs, where they were able to view a range of textiles.

Councillor Andy Hill is pictured with members of the Bergamo Slow Food Group at Ayr Town Hall.

June 2005