Tourism on the agenda

A new group has been convened to take the lead in tourism and ensure that there is a revival all across Scotland.

The Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing and Business Minister Jamie Hepburn are co-chairs of the Scottish Tourism Recovery Taskforce which is due to meet regularly in the coming weeks. The purpose is to provide a recover strategy for Scotland on getting over Covid-19 and putting the tourism sector back on the map.

The industry has jut been boosted by a business support package worth more than £2.3 billion along with government guidance for the tourism and hospitality businesses.

There will now be a domestic marketing campaign to promote a Scottish staycation, and ministers will urgently review any funding support at Scottish and UK level. They will promote training and skills development, and generate a public conversation about tourism and its benefits for local communities.

Speaking ahead of the Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Committee, Mr Ewing said: “Scotland’s tourism and hospitality sector has been hit hard by this pandemic and we do not underestimate the crisis this has created. The Scottish Government has been doing everything in its power to support the sector through the challenges it faces.

“We’re continuing to listen to industry and exploring how we can help. That job is not yet finished and we are looking at what further support can be made available to tourism and hospitality businesses.

“Today’s meeting of the STRT is a key milestone in the recovery of tourism and hospitality in Scotland. A range of organisations from across this diverse sector will come together to share ideas and expertise on how we can overcome the challenges COVID-19 continues to present.”

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