Organisers of a popular north-east boating festival have been given a boost after a securing a major sponsor for this year’s event.
The annual Scottish Traditional Boat Festival attracted more than 18,000 visitors last year, and brought in more than £1million to the local economy.
The team behind the event had been searching for a long-term partner for the festival after their deal with Aberdeen Asset Management (AAM) ended last year.
But yesterday, it was announced that AAM were backing it again this year – protecting the future of the festival as the search for a long-term sponsor continues.
Festival chairman Roger Goodyear welcomed the deal, and said: “It comes at a time when we are involved in a number of additional projects that are taking up a considerable amount of time and attention but will bring significant community benefit, including the creation of a boat shed, the building of a traditional salmon coble and, in association with the North East Preservation Trust, the restoration of a listed building to create a bunkhouse.”
AAM has previously sponsored the boating festival – which brought in more than 2,000 overseas visitors in 2014 – for four consecutive years. Their arrangement came to an end last year.
Mr Goodyear added: “Aberdeen Asset Management has been a generous supporter of the festival since 2011 and that has meant that it is an extremely hard act to follow, but we are pleased to have this safety net in place as we seek other sponsors for future festivals.”
Keen sailor Martin Gilbert, chief executive of AAM, said: “The Scottish Traditional Boat Festival is a key highlight of the tourism calendar and, as well as being the largest gathering of traditional boats in Scotland it has an excellent range of on shore activities for all ages.
“When we became aware that the festival was finding it a challenge to secure a main sponsor, we wanted to show support that will help safeguard this vibrant community-run event which attracts a high level of tourists to the area every summer, as it continues to seek a long term sponsorship supporter.”
The festival, which promotes maritime links and heritage, music, traditions and local sports, will be held on July 4 and 5.