Willi and Crystel Kirst from Dillendorf in Germany attended the Ayr Flower Show after winning a prize draw at a German Food Festival at the Frankfurt Hahn Airport in Germany.

The lucky couple won return flights to Glasgow Prestwick International Airport courtesy of Ryanair with airport taxes paid by Visitscotland, three nights bed and breakfast accommodation courtesy of the Arrandale Hotel in Ayr and a two day pass to the Ayr Flower Show.

After meeting the winning couple at Ayr Flower Show and congratulating them the Depute Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor David Duncan said: “I was delighted to meet Willi and Crystel and give them a warm South Ayrshire welcome.

“The large number of people who entered the free prize draw clearly shows how keen people are to visit this part of the world, and to enjoy all the facilities on offer.

“I am sure that the lucky winners will be great ambassadors for South Ayrshire when they return home.”

John Walker, Chairman of Ayr Flower Show, greeted the prize winners at the Show and said "We're delighted to welcome these visitors. Ayr Flower Show is an event which is widely supported by the local community and it's good to be able to show Ayr at its best to visitors from further afield."

South Ayrshire Council staff recently led a delegation of local business people when they took part in the prestigious ‘A La Region’ Food Festival, which was held at Frankfurt Hahn Airport in Germany, and it was there that Willi and Crystel Kirst showed a particular interest in South Ayrshire. Ayr College chefs provided a superbly prepared and presented salmon starter dish for visitors to taste, while other local businesses demonstrated and distributed samples of other fine South Ayrshire produce.

The “A la Region” event was held in an aircraft hanger at the airport, and over 50 representatives from farms, food manufacturers, vineyards, restaurants and hotels took part. The representatives worked together to demonstrate the wide range of gastronomic products and services available in the Hunsruck area of Germany by cooking and serving food.

With over 600 people attending, including invited guests, journalists and foreign travel writers, South Ayrshire participants took the opportunity to provide a wealth of information and put South Ayrshire firmly on the menu as an exciting holiday destination.

During the day the representatives highlighted what South Ayrshire has to offer visitors including:

• Scenic beauty from coast to countryside
• Attractions, events and activities for all age groups
• Accommodation to suit various budgets
• An excellent choice of restaurants and eating establishments serving
  top quality local produce and catering for all tastes.

Anyone who visited the display was invited to leave their contact details, so that they could be updated about future events in South Ayrshire. Many people who chose to leave their details said that they were particularly interested in visiting South Ayrshire to see castles and monuments, learn about the heritage of the area, enjoy the stunning scenery, sample the good food and generally relax.

The visit to Germany 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.

Convener of the Council’s Economic and Tourism Development Committee, Councillor Robert Campbell also met the winners at the Flower Show and said: “The display stand in Germany was a great way of promoting South Ayrshire, and the wealth of fine quality produce it has to offer local residents and visitors to the area.

“I enjoyed meeting the winners of the prize draw and hope that they will return home with many happy memories of their visit.”

Prior to the event, the businesses had also participated in a workshop where knowledge and experiences were exchanged with a number of German and Irish small businesses.

Receiving a warm South Ayrshire welcome at Ayr Flower Show are (left to right) Willi Kirst, Cristel Kirst, Thea Petticrew, South Ayrshire Council, Convener of the Council’s Economic and Tourism Development Committee, Councillor Robert Campbell, Annique Armstrong, Visitscotland Prestwick, John Walker, Ayr Flower Show Chairman, Alison Blair South Ayrshire Council and the Depute Leader of the Council, Councillor David Duncan.

August 2005