We are remarkably privileged to live amongst the landscapes of Scotland. The beauty of our dramatic scenery, the rich diversity of our cultures, our history and ancient monuments, and our sporting attractions are just some of the reasons why visitors want to spend time here. Yes, it is true that visitors can also encounter some difficulties with the weather and the perennial challenge of our midges, but tourism is in our DNA.
The tourism sector is not only essential to our global appeal but it is the prerequisite for rebuilding our economy and stimulating economic growth, and how much we desperately need that growth given the Scottish Government’s current balance sheet that the Finance Committee was recently scrutinising. Moreover, we should never forget that the overwhelming number of tourism enterprises are small businesses, always the backbone of any economy - 96% in the most recent statistics. But this is a sector that feels so very badly let down because of the Scottish Government’s failure to prioritise its needs, most especially those in the rural and island areas.
The Calmac ferry disruptions and subsequent cancellations have caused between 30% and 50% reductions in accommodation bookings for most of our islands. Whether it’s communities in Mull and Iona, Arran, Lewis and Harris, South Uist - the list goes on - ferry disruption has played a major part in disrupting the tourist industry. There are the significant issues of the A9 and A96 and the broken promises regarding the dualling of these critical road networks, which has even been criticised by MSPs on the backbenches of the SNP. Then we have the disastrous policies including the short-term licensing scheme which has led to employment issues in rural communities and eye-watering fees being charged in the cities, the chaotic Deposit Return Scheme, and the visitor levy which will leave so many hospitality businesses frustrated by yet another cost lumped onto a sector already facing so many other challenges from the cost-of-living crisis.
This is all in sharp contrast to the UK Government’s 75% rates relief package which the Scottish Government has failed to match despite having the Barnett Consequentials to do so.
The tourism sector has made its views well known about the general anti-business agenda of the SNP and Greens. The new administration has already moved the ministerial responsibility for tourism into the more general portfolio of Small Business, Innovation and Trade, and cut the tourism budget in cash terms from £51.2m to £49.4m, at the very time when many new tourism enterprises in Scotland have the lowest survival rates.
It is high time the Scottish Government study their own statistics which currently tell a lamentable tale about the tourism sector and provide a blueprint to address the deep-seated concerns.
