How to create business listings

8 minute read • Last published: 25 February 2025

Listing your business on tourism marketing websites gives you exposure to a global audience actively seeking Scottish travel experiences.

There are many platforms which you can feature your business for free and further amplify your online presence including VisitScotland.com, Google and Tripadvisor.

What to include in any business listing

It is vital that you check all your web listings regularly, keeping all information and links updated and accurate. Discover how to get the most out of your listings that will help you attract visitors and stand apart from the competitors.

Contact details
Clearly display your business address, email, and website links. Offering concise, accurate contact information helps visitors feel confident about connecting with you.
Opening times
Always make sure your opening times are up-to-date including seasonal opening, days of the week and times of the day.
Compelling visuals
Use high-quality images and video to highlight what you offer – show customers what it would be like to visit your business and enjoy your experience.
Highlight responsibility
Showcase responsible tourism initiatives, such as eco-friendly accommodation, local sourcing of products, or sustainable wildlife and heritage experiences.
Booking integration
Check if you can include a booking link. This streamlined approach encourages higher conversion rates and helps potential customers book with confidence.
Your information
Your name, connection with the business, and email address.
Type of property
You might have to provide extra information depending on the type of business you want to list. For example, a hotel will have to submit the following:
- price range
- if you have on-site staff and security
- front desk staffing details
- if bathrooms are en-suite
- if room cleaning is included
- minimum stay requirement
- total number of rooms
Top tip
Ensure you use the same details consistently across all platforms, particularly for location which puts a marker on a map to show the exact location of your business.

Get a business listing for VisitScotland.com

Snowfall at Loch an Eilein, Rothiemurchus

VisitScotland’s consumer website, visitscotland.com, helps visitors find the information they need to plan and book their trip to Scotland. The website promotes the key strengths, attractions, and experiences of every region of Scotland.

VisitScotland works to ensure Scotland can compete on the world stage. The content on the website is tailored by market and translated into five key European languages – French, German, Italian, Spanish and Dutch.

The website is based around extensive testing and customer surveys, ensuring it meets the needs of users as they move through the customer journey from inspiration to planning and booking.

Business listings are available free of charge for a range of sectors including accommodation providers, attractions, food and drink businesses, retailers, activity providers, and tour-based businesses.

Having a business web listing on the website can help you maximise bookings and give another channel for your marketing. Customers can click directly from the listing through to your website or social media channels.

There is also the Business Enquiry Team who can help you to get everything set up.

How to get a listing on VisitScotland.com

There are two routes to get a listing depending on what type of business you are.

Accommodation, attractions, retail, and other tourism businesses (not tours)

Check that your business is eligible
Please read these criteria and terms & conditions before applying for a business web listing on visitscotland.com.
Web listing criteria and terms & conditions - Published September 2023 | PDF 0.1MB
If your business operates in Scotland for the benefit of visitors to Scotland, you qualify for a free business web listing.
- accommodation providers
- visitor attractions, activities, or experiences
- places to eat and drink
- transport providers
- local retail establishments
Please note that all requests will be reviewed individually. We reserve the right to refuse any applications based on the web listing criteria.
Fill in our online form
Before you start, you'll need:
- an image
- a short teaser description and a main, more detailed, description
- company information
- contact details
Register for a VisitScotland.com web listing.
Complete your business web listing
Once you've been approved, we'll send you a login for our extranet. There, you can manage your listings and add extra information, such as additional images, your product prices, and opening times.
When adding pictures, you must have copyright for all images.
Update your listing
Once your web listing is live, you can update it yourself at any time in our extranet.
Find out more in the VisitScotland extranet user guide.

Tours

We have a dedicated system for tour operators who provide tours of Scotland.

Register with our tour management system
Designed with help from Scottish tour providers, we have a dedicated system that allows you to create multiple tours. You can add special features to these, such as destinations, starting points and transport types.
Sign up for a VisitScotland tours listing.
Enter your company details
Once you're registered, you can log in to create an account and submit your company information. This information then goes to our Business Enquiry Team who will approve you as a new tour operator in the system.
We'll send you an email notification once we've approved your company profile.
Start creating your tours
Once your company/operator profile has been approved, you can create and publish your tours. If you need help, please email customer.services@visitscotland.com and our team will be happy to assist.
Please note you can only publish tours of Scotland. When adding pictures to your operator profile and tour listings, you must have copyright for all images.
Update your listing
You can update your tours at any time via your Tours Management System.
Find out more in the VisitScotland tour management system guide.

Claim your free Tripadvisor listing

With 490 million average monthly users, Tripadvisor aggregates information and reviews on attractions and businesses. It’s free to claim your listing which lets you respond to the reviews and build trust with potential customers.

How do I set up a Tripadvisor listing?

How do I verify my business?

How do I respond to reviews?

How do I track my performance?

Top tips

People view hotels with 10 or more business photos more than those with fewer photos.

Properties that respond to at least one out of every two reviews are 24% more likely to receive booking enquiries.

Accommodation providers
People view hotels with 10 or more business photos more than those with fewer photos.
Properties that respond to at least one out of every two reviews are 24% more likely to receive booking enquiries.
Food and drink providers
It’s important to share mouth-watering photos of your food. Or share pictures that give potential diners an idea of the atmosphere. Think "romantic" or "family-friendly".
Select an engaging primary photo to help you make a strong first impression with potential visitors. Change this frequently to keep your listing fresh.
Experience providers
Want your existing customers or passers-by to know you’re listed on Tripadvisor?
Request a Tripadvisor Sticker in your Management Centre to prominently display at your business. Or incorporate a digital sticker onto your own business signage.

Other listing opportunities

Wild Braemar

Google Business Profile

Claiming your Google listing ensures your business appears prominently in Google Search and Maps. Regularly updating images, posts, opening times and contact details can improve your online visibility.

Find out more about a Google Business Profile

Local Destination Management Organizations (DMOs)

Many regions, such as the Highlands or Aberdeenshire, have their own DMOs like VisitCairngorms or VisitAberdeenshire, often featuring dedicated business listings, event calendars, and social media promotions.

Sector associations and groups

Some sectors have their own websites and members can list their business – examples include Museums Galleries Scotland and Scotland’s Best B&Bs.

Euan’s Guide

If your offering is accessible and inclusive, highlight this by listing on dedicated platforms such as Euan’s Guide. This shows a commitment to responsible and accessible tourism, appealing to visitors with specific needs. Other accessibility directories include AccessAble and Tourism For All.

Related Pages

Google Business Profile

Find tips on how to get your business onto Google using Google Business Profile, including on how to create and optimise your listing.

5 minute read

Article

Google Things to do

Learn how to display direct booking links in search results and in Google Maps.

4 minute read

Article

Marketing opportunities

Promote your business across new marketing channels to reach new audiences and grow your sales.

Manage your website

Find out what makes a good website including key pages and booking systems, and how you can develop and improve this digital channel.

7 minute read

Article

Sign up for the latest advice

Sign up for the Business Support monthly newsletter to get the latest advice and tips straight to your inbox. We’ll keep you informed with up-to-date insights, case studies and best practice guides to help you start, improve or grow your business.

Get the Business Support newsletter