NorthLink Ferries will next week join forces with VisitOrkney and VisitShetland when the three organisations take a joint stand at this year’s VisitScotland Expo event in Glasgow.

Expo - held at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) on April 26 and 27 - is Scotland’s premier event for the travel trade, providing tourism suppliers with an opportunity to showcase their services to buyers from both the UK and overseas markets.

More than 1,000 visitors are expected to attend the two-day event and it is hoped the collaborative approach will promote the whole Northern Isles holiday experience effectively by providing information and advice on transport, tours, accommodation, activities, wildlife and visitor attractions.

The Expo stand will feature large scenic views of both destinations as well as shots of festivals, produce and ancient monuments. Other tourism-related businesses from the Northern Isles will also attend, including the Orkney and Shetland Tourist Guides Associations, the Orkney and Shetland Touring Company and a host of top quality hotels including the Stromness Hotel, the Lynnfield Hotel, Albert Hotel and KGQ Hotels.

Elaine Tulloch of NorthLink Ferries, said: “With many travel trade buyers and press/pr contacts coming to Glasgow for two days we are very keen to grasp the opportunity to demonstrate the high quality of our service and the beauty of the Northern Isles.”