Blue Sail’s report to the Aberdeen City and Shire Area Tourism Partnership earlier this summer recommended the merger of 3 current DMOs and the formation of a single powerful organisation to develop and market tourism throughout the whole area. Current pressures on the oil and gas industry and the decision to proceed with the new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre have added urgency to the region’s push to diversify its visitor economy. The move has the backing of both VisitScotland and Scottish Enterprise, and Blue Sail is supporting negotiations with the local authorities and other main stakeholders. We are preparing a business, commercial and marketing plan for the proposed new not-for- profit company, which aims to be operational by early next year.