The Aberdeen Convention Bureau will close its doors on 31 August with its three employees taking voluntary redundancy or securing work elsewhere.

The bureau’s business tourism remit will now be taken on by Visit Aberdeen, a new destination management organisation that has been set up with Steve Harris appointed as CEO.

In a statement, Aberdeen Convention Bureau said that business tourism will remain a top priority for Visit Aberdeen and Aberdeen City Council, with support from VisitScotland’s Business Tourism Unit. The main objectives of the new company will be to stimulate partnerships, improve the product of the city for the visitor and to market Aberdeen to identified target audiences.

Shona Anderson, VisitScotland’s regional director for Aberdeen City and Shire, said: “Business tourism is vital to the local economy, and Aberdeen Convention Bureau secured business tourism events worth around £12.6m in 2011-12, so this is a very strong foundation for Visit Aberdeen to build on, under the leadership of the newly appointed CEO Steve Harris. Aberdeen’s profile as a business tourism destination is now higher than ever, thanks to developments such as the Trump International Golf Links, new air routes and new hotel brands.”

Business tourism represents 20 per cent of total tourism expenditure in Scotland.

Visit Aberdeen is supported by Aberdeen City Council and its board is chaired by Colin Crosby and includes representatives from the Aberdeen Business Improvement District (BID), Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels Association, Aberdeen City Council and independent members.

Pictured: Aberdeen