AITC purpose & deliverables

  1. We provide destination leadership and support, including the provision of information for visitors, investors, and stakeholders.
  2. We create, distribute, and curate destination marketing content.
  3. We consistently monitor and improve discoverability for Argyll & the Isles, its businesses, and events.
  4. We enable industry networking & opportunities for collaboration
  5. We offer skills and capabilities development.
  6. We have a dedicated PR contractor creating bespoke promotional opportunities.
  7. We support businesses in visitor product development.
  8. We lobby and represent the needs of the destination on national and regional forums.
  9. We promote the destination at travel trade events.
  10. We have an expert supporting businesses with travel trade enquiries.

How do our members benefit?

We offer low-cost professional marketing benefits and services to tourism businesses and suppliers across the destination.

When you join AITC, as a co-operative member, you also have a say in how we present our destination and the opportunity to vote on important issues. You join a community of businesses invested in the long-term economic and community success of the destination.

Your Membership

As a member of a co-operative, you have certain rights which are set out in our Articles of Association. This is a legal document that governs the work of AITC, and the powers of its members and Directors.  

We hope the following Q&A's helps you understand your rights and obligations of being a member of AITC.

If you have any questions, we would be more than happy to chat them through with you.

Did you know, when you joined AITC (Wild About Argyll), you became a member of our co-operative?

A co-op is a business or organisation that’s owned and controlled by its members, to meet their shared needs. The members can be its customers, employees, residents or suppliers, who have a say in how the co-op is run.

AITC was formed in 2012 as a cooperative with its membership being the local marketing and sectoral groups. In 2020, we gave businesses, suppliers, residents and community groups the opportunity to join as direct members and pay a fee in return for marketing services and representation.

 

What does it mean to be a member of AITC (Wild About Argyll)?

It means, you get a direct line of communication to and from the primary body looking out for the interests of tourism businesses in Argyll.

We will amplify your single voice, elevating it to a compelling and influential perspective as we speak on behalf of tourism in the area as a whole.

You can shape our thinking to ensure that we are connected to what is really happening on the ground and take that perspective to those who need to hear it - the media, local councils and the Scottish Government.

You can send these views to members@wildaboutargyll.co.uk

What rights do I have as a member?

As a member of a co-operative, you have certain rights which are set out in our Articles of Association.  This is a legal document that governs the work of AITC, and the powers of its members and Directors.  The current document was set out in 2019.  It’s a complicated read so let’s break it down for you:

  • You can ask AITC to represent you on specific issues or opportunities in the areas of policy, funding, development, or legislation. Just write to us at members@wildaboutargyll.co.uk.
  • You can attend the Annual General Meeting and have one vote on any proposed changes, known as resolutions. We will inform you of any proposed resolutions at least 14 days prior to the AGM.
  • If you cannot attend the AGM, you can appoint a proxy (someone to vote on your behalf), they must attend the AGM on the date set.
What are my obligations as a member?

When you become a member of Argyll & Isles Tourism Co-operative, you have certain obligations.

  • You agree to pay an annual membership subscription and in return, you receive membership benefits. 
  • If you agree to pay by invoice and payment is not received 28 days after the issue of the invoice, AITC reserves the right to terminate your membership and remove your business listing from the Wild About Argyll Website.
  • If your membership ceases for any reason, you will not be entitled to a refund of any paid fees.

Membership fees & categories from 1st September, 2023

New fees will apply from 1st September for new members and renewal date for existing members.

Associate

Basic Listing Fee only

Key Benefits

  • Web listing with contact details - 1 website location
Annual Fee (Exc. VAT)
£102

Cost Per Day

(£0.28p per day)

 

Category A1

Attractions <5,000 visitors, Upto 4 rooms, <20 camping pitches, Small group activity providers, Aires site & Equipment Hirers, Community Events

Key Benefits

  • Web listing with business link, all applicable areas of website
  • Social media features
  • Blog & influencer features
  • Discounted Summit ticket
  • Free & discounted skills training
  • Free events listing
Annual Fee (Exc. VAT)
£150

Monthly price increase & Cost per day

£4.80

(£0.41p per day)

 

Category A2

Attractions >5,001 visitors, guided tours, retreats, Upto 4 self-catering properties, 5 - 10 rooms, >15 camping pitches, Events Venue, Annual Ticketed Events

Key Benefits

  • Web listing with business link, all applicable areas of website
  • Social media features
  • Blog & influencer features
  • Discounted Summit ticket
  • Travel Trade Consultancy & Directory inclusion
  • Free & discounted skills training
  • Free events listing
  • PR Support
Annual Fee (Exc. VAT)
£380

Monthly Price Increase & Cost Per Day

£9.20

(£1.04p per day)

 

Category A3

Attractions >20,001 visitors, 10+ Rooms, Independent Distilleries, Annual Ticketed Events

Key Benefits

  • Web listing with business link, all applicable areas of website
  • Social media features
  • Blog & influencer features
  • Discounted Summit ticket
  • Travel Trade Consultancy & Directory inclusion
  • Free & discounted skills training
  • Free events listing
  • PR Support
Annual Fee (Exc. VAT)
£750

Monthly price increase & Cost per day

£17.40

(£2.05p per day)

 

Category A4

Attractions >50,000 visitors, 25+ rooms, National and International Distillers, Annual Ticketed Events

Key Benefits

  • Web listing with business link, all applicable areas of website
  • Social media features
  • Blog & influencer features
  • Discounted Summit ticket
  • Travel Trade Consultancy & Directory inclusion
  • Free & discounted skills training
  • Free events listing
  • PR Support
Annual Fee (Exc. VAT)
£950

Monthly price increase & Cost per day

£23

(£2.60p per day)

 

Category A5

Holiday Resorts, Multiple sites, Large Campsites with facilities, International Distillers, Annual Ticketed Events

Key Benefits

  • Web listing with business link, all applicable areas of website
  • Social media features
  • Blog & influencer features
  • Discounted Summit ticket
  • Travel Trade Consultancy & Directory inclusion
  • Free & discounted skills training
  • Free events listing
  • PR Support
Annual Fee (Exc. VAT)
£1,800

Monthly price increase & Cost per day

£36

(£4.93p per day)

 

B1 - DMO / Sectoral Group

with <50 members

Key Benefits

  • Links to DMO / Sectoral site (where applicable)
  • Destination / sectoral marketing support
  • Discounted Summit ticket
  • Travel Trade Consultancy & Directory inclusion
  • Free & discounted skills training
  • Free events listing
  • PR Support
Annual Fee (Exc. VAT)
£700

Monthly price increase & Cost per day

£12.40

(£1.92p per day)

 

B2 - DMO / Sectoral Group

with > 50 members

Key Benefits

  • Links to DMO / Sectoral site (where applicable)
  • Destination / sectoral marketing support
  • Discounted Summit ticket
  • Travel Trade Consultancy & Directory inclusion
  • Free & discounted skills training
  • Free events listing
  • PR Support
Annual Fee (Exc. VAT)
£1,155

Monthly price increase & cost per day

£19.50

(£3.16p per day)

 

B3 - DMO / Sectoral Group

With member listings

Key Benefits

  • Web listing for all members with business contact details
  • Links to DMO / Sectoral site (where applicable)
  • Destination / sectoral marketing support
  • AITC Team support for listings
  • Discounted Summit ticket
  • Travel Trade Consultancy & Directory inclusion
  • Free & discounted skills training
  • Free events listing
  • PR Support
Annual Fee (Exc. VAT)
£1,400

Monthly price increase & Cost per day

£24.80

(£3.84p per day)

 

NEW C1 - Argyll Sole Trader Suppliers

Key Benefits

  • Web listing with business link, supplier area of website
  • Promotion through member newsletter
  • Discounted Summit ticket
  • Free & discounted skills training
  • Free events listing (visitor facing)
Annual Fee (Exc. VAT)
£150

Monthly Price & Cost per day

£12.50

(£0.41p per day)

 

C2 - Argyll Based Suppliers

Key Benefits

  • Web listing with business link, supplier area of website
  • Promotion through member newsletter
  • Opportunity to exhibit at Annual Summit
  • Discounted Summit ticket
  • Free & discounted skills training
  • Free events listing (visitor facing)
Annual Fee (Exc. VAT)
£600

Monthly price increase & Cost per day

£31.17

(£1.64p per day)

 

C3 - National Suppliers

Key Benefits

  • Web listing with business link, supplier area of website
  • Promotion through member newsletter
  • Opportunity to exhibit at Annual Summit
  • Discounted Summit ticket
  • Free & discounted skills training
  • Free events listing (visitor facing)
Price on Application

NEW Regional Tour Operator

Key Benefits

  • Web listing with business link in all relevant locations
  • Social media features
  • Blog & influencer features
  • Discounted summit ticket
  • Free & discounted skills training
  • Listing on AITC travel trade directory
  • AITC is a member of UK Inbound; signposting to relevant insights
Annual Fee (Exc. VAT)
£160

Cost Per Day

(£0.44p per day)

 

NEW National Tour Operator

Key Benefits

  • Web listing with business link in all relevant locations
  • Social media features
  • Blog & influencer features
  • Discounted summit ticket
  • Free & discounted skills training
  • Listing on AITC travel trade directory
  • AITC is a member of UK Inbound; signposting to relevant insights
Annual Fee (Exc. VAT)
£520

Cost Per Day

(£1.42p per day)

 

Questions

Around new membership fees
Why are AITC putting fees up?

Membership fees have remained at the same level since the introduction of the scheme in 2021. Meanwhile, AITC has been absorbing rising costs. For example; the costs of maintaining and improving both Wild About Argyll & Love Oban websites, increase in membership fees for Scottish Tourism Alliance – ensuring we have a ‘seat at the table’ on important matters, increases in the cost of exhibiting and promoting the destination at travel trade events and increases in the costs of managing the membership scheme.

When will the fees go up?

The new fees are effective from the 1st of September, 2023 for all new members. For existing members, the fee increase will apply from the date of your renewal. If you would like to discuss your renewal please contact members@wildaboutargyll.co.uk.

I pay by Direct Debit – will I need to do anything?

No, we will apply the change to the fee in our system Gocardless which will then collect the new fee straight from your bank.

I can't see which category I would fit into

Our Membership Services Manager will talk to you about which category best suits your business.

What do I do if I want to cancel my membership?

We will be sorry to see you go and not have access to your benefits. If you wish to cancel, simply contact members@wildaboutargyll.co.uk giving your 30 days notice and we will cancel your membership and remove you from the website and marketing materials.