BUSINESSES across Tweeddale are being invited to take part in the area's first tourism workshop next week.

Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS) will be hosting a mountain bike specific tourism workshop, ‘Packaging the Product’, which will take place at the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland, Peel Tower Glentress on Wednesday, October 4 from 1.30pm to 4pm.

The announcement for the workshop follows £11.3m plans announced in July to create 56 new eco-cabins, plus 16km of new trails in Glentress Forest.

Open to all local businesses, the afternoon will explore how more visitors can be attracted to the area, and how they can extend the stay of those mountain bikers already coming to the Tweed Valley.

Anyone from hotels to bike shops and those who offer a service to the bike community, are invited to come along to pitch what they do and look at options to collaborate with others to improve what they can offer as a package.

The workshop will end with a discussion around the concept of bike hotels and facilities and services mountain bikers will look for.

Ed Shoote, the Tweed Valley Mountain Bike Coordinator said: “Part of my role is to insure businesses work together to improve the visiting cyclist’s journey but also to promote the Tweed Valley as a destination.

“This is a fantastic free event which will enable local service providers see ways of increasing the package they provide to mountain bikers visiting the area.

“There are a lot of exciting changes ahead for the Tweed Valley and the time is right to make sure our local businesses make the most of these opportunities.”

To sign up for the free event, visit: www.dmbins.com/developing/news/packaging-the-experience-tweed-valley-cycling-workshop