In 2011, a People 1st State of the Nation report showed that priority skills shortages which urgently needed to be addressed to support growth in the tourism sector were chef skills, customer service skills and managerial skills. These skills shortages, originally identified in 2005, remain a priority, and research confirms that they are likely to intensify in the future. Food tourism contributes to a destination's authenticity, enhances sustainability and strengthens the local economy. Gastronomy can play an important part in the visitor experience of a destination where more people seek out authentic local food offers. By acquiring the skills and ideas to benefit from the growth trend, and by linking these with sense of place, the destination, it's businesses, workers and visitors, all benefit. The purpose of the study visit was to continue developing the skills of UK food tourism professionals by inviting them to experience how Markadsstofa Nordurlands effectively combines local food with a Sense of Place to provide three things: 1. an enriched visitor experience that is both enjoyable and authentic 2. raise awareness of a tourism destination often overlooked in favour of the better known and easier to reach attractions of South Iceland 3. to develop economic and environmental sustainability. Host partner Matis contributed experience relating to innovative food technologies and working with exemplar SMEs to influence the participant's; learning objectives. The study visit supported 20 food tourism professionals on a visit to North Iceland's Akureyri region which has developed innovative working with local food clusters and food safaris, food festivals and tour operators. We also focused on three core areas of learning - Innovation, Zero Waste and Use of Social Media. Many participants came from organisations where it is difficult to facilitate long periods of time outside of the workplace. The programme was designed in recognition of what would best meet their individual needs and still apply across the group as a whole. The focused seven-day intensive study visit programme comprised: on-site visits to local SME businesses, meeting farmers, fishermen, producers and chefs. Activities included local sense of place tours and cultural events; a mystery shopping exercise and a seminar involving presentations, sharing ideas and information. Additionally the beneficiaries worked in groups to develop and prepare a series of case studies. Tourism Angles was responsible for participant recruitment, all participant arrangements including transport, accommodation and subsistence. We created an exciting and informative programme that would maximise participant learning opportunities and meets their desired learning outcomes from the visit. We liaised with intermediary partner Markadsstofa Nordurlands to make local logistical arrangements regarding hotel bookings and transport arrangements and also with host partner Matis to identify and invite relevant Icelandic speakers and participants to take part in the seminar. Following the study visit, participants were invited to share how they have used the experience to disseminate information, implement new ideas and pass-on what they have learnt with others. Information regarding presentations, the mystery shopping exercise and case studies was shared with beneficiaries, participants and their wider networks. Already we are seeing examples of cross-border working between the participant countries, something we encourage as an additional benefit of the project, and a continuation of what we have seen with the previous project.