Local MSP asks what plans are in place to attract tourists back to the Highlands once pandemic is over?
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Gail Ross, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross has asked the Scottish Government if there are plans in place to attract visitors and tourists to the Highlands and other remote and rural areas once the current Covid-19 pandemic is defeated.
Speaking during a Member’s Virtual Question Time, Ross asked: “How will we ensure that tourists and visitors feel welcome to come back to such areas once the restrictions have been lifted?”
The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government, Aileen Campbell responded to the query: “Although Gail Ross is right to ask about how we will start to welcome people back to those areas when the restrictions are eased, that is a discussion for a point in the future. My colleagues, in particular Fergus Ewing and others, are engaging with rural and Highland communities to work out what might be the best steps to recovery in those areas.
“However, that has to be done at the right point in time, when there is no risk to public health. At the moment, the clear message is that people should avoid unnecessary travel, and should continue to stay in their primary residence. We will continue to support communities that feel that that is not being abided by, and we will ensure that Police Scotland is appropriately informed of concerns that residents or communities have.”
Spending by tourists in Scotland generates around £12 billion of economic activity for the wider Scottish supply chain and contributes around £6 billion to Scottish GDP, representing about five per cent of total Scottish GDP. The current health crisis has put considerable strain on the industry. A £2.2 billion package of measures to help business from April 1 was announced by the Economy Secretary in March.
