To further boost the importance of tourism across the area, the VisitLanarkshire website offers a wide range of enhanced existing features as well as new areas to help prospective visitors with all the information they need to plan their trip to Lanarkshire, whatever the time of year.

Features include everything from how to get here and where to stay, including some of the more unusual places. The site also has a wide range of interests and activities reached through the website’s Inspire Me section as well as lists of activities and other things to See and Do.

And to help promote activities all year round, enhanced digital marketing tools including engagement through VisitLanarkshire’s Facebook, Twitter and its newly set up Instagram platforms are now available for everyone to keep up-to-date whenever and however they choose.

Councillor Robert Brown, the chair of the council’s Community and Enterprise Committee, said: “Tourism plays a vital role in not only bringing visitors to our beautiful area, but boosts the local economy and revitalises our communities in so many beneficial ways.

“The relaunch of the VisitLanarkshire website will go a considerable way to making sure that Lanarkshire remains a desirable place for tourists to come and enjoy their time here. There are huge opportunities for tourism businesses just now with more shorter-term local visits from UK residents likely and this new enhanced website will be a vital tool in encouraging more tourists from more places to come to South and North Lanarkshire.”

And Councillor Ayeshah Khan, Convener of North Lanarkshire Council’s Enterprise and Fair Work Committee, added: “Lanarkshire has so much to offer and the superb new VisitLanarkshire website provides a single point of reference for both residents and for welcoming visitors to our area.

“I’d encourage everyone to take a look and discover exciting new places to visit.”

The relaunch follows on from the publication of South Lanarkshire’s first area specific Tourism strategy which aims to cultivate a vibrant, successful visitor economy, creating benefits and opportunities for all.

And North Lanarkshire Council has also launched it’s first area specific Tourism strategy which aims to ensure that by 2026 North Lanarkshire is a sustainable tourist destination offering a range of experiences for visitors which provide value for money and are accessible to all.

VisitLanarkshire is a partnership initiative which co-ordinates and enhances the efforts of the wider tourism, hospitality and leisure industries in Lanarkshire to develop the area as a must visit destination.

Key partners include South and North Lanarkshire Councils, with the website managed by both council’s tourism officers who will work to keep the site up to date and continue to add additional listings and articles in order to support the businesses within the sector.

VisitScotland Regional Partnerships Executive Martin Breslin said: “Digital channels play an ever-increasing role in inspiring visitors, and this investment in refreshing the VisitLanarkshire.com website will have a vital role in marketing the area and sparking new ideas for what Lanarkshire has to offer year-round.

“The attractive new design will also be a great tool to reintroduce Lanarkshire to tour operators and travel agents from around the world at the VisitScotland Connect travel trade show in Aberdeen this spring.”

Visitlanarkshire.com is the web portal of the VisitLanarkshire brand which promotes the area as a visitor destination, showcasing all there is to offer.

If your business operates in the Lanarkshire tourism sector and you would like to take up a free listing on the website, please email info@visitlanarkshire.com