ADAM DAVIES has joined Savills in the newly created role of Scottish tourism, leisure and events consultant.

Mr Davies is working with Savills' existing UK Tourism, Leisure and Events team to provide advice to owners and managers of Scottish historic houses, rural estates, farms and leisure-based businesses on establishing new, or developing existing tourism, leisure and events enterprises.

Savills head of rural, energy and projects in Scotland, Hugo Struthers, said: “Adam joins us at a pivotal time for Scotland’s rural businesses, many of who are diversifying into tourism, leisure and events, all of which have seen substantial growth in recent years. Tourism is worth £10.5 billion to Scotland annually and that figure is likely to grow as more of us choose to holiday in the UK in the light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and international travel restrictions.”

Adam graduated in Law before joining M&S’s commercial food graduate scheme. He brings ten years of experience gained in the retail, leisure and tourism sector, latterly with Hickory, Scotland’s leading independent venue and event management company. This includes both hands-on operational venue, event and project management experience, as well as strategic business development and optimization skills.

Adam will work with clients across Savills seven Scottish offices, from Dumfries in the south to Inverness in the north, working alongside Simon Foster, Savills UK director of tourism, leisure and events.

Mr Davies said: “I am delighted to be expanding Savills UK’s tourism and leisure offering into Scotland, at such a critical time when the industry is facing challenges but also immense diversification opportunities.

“Scotland has long had a strong domestic tourist draw. With travel restrictions ongoing, latest Visit Scotland data suggests it’s just behind the South West of England which holds the number one place for UK staycations in the autumn and winter months. Indeed Scotland remains the number one domestic holiday destination for Scottish residents and there is plenty of scope to deliver more and improved holiday and leisure options for this expectant and increasingly discerning market.”