Date: 15 July 2008
Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce today welcomed the Scottish Parliament's Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee report Growing Pains - can we achieve a 50% growth in tourist revenue by 2015? (Volume 1) but expressed concerns about aspects of the enquiry. Chief Executive, Ron Hewitt said:
"The observations show considered judgement. There is clearly a lot of work gone into the report, which is only as should be given the huge challenge of the objective. Only a supreme optimist would say that 50% growth in Tourism is other than a steep hill to climb. There are several points which resonate well with current feeling in the business community:
- That the planning systems inhibits investment
- That weaknesses in our transport infrastructure deter visitors
- That internet marketing needs to be fit for purpose for our SME operators
"That the report opposes Bed Tax and welcomes BIDs matches our own feedback from member companies. The suggestions that modelling international best practice, that we need better co-ordination and that demand led training is needed are all worthy but not ground-breaking.
"My major concern is that the opportunity has been missed to support the growing network of local destination management organisations, by linking their vital role to the national framework and strategy. This groundswell of tourism businesses 'doing it for themselves' thrives on local opinion and local pride in their tourism offering as well as in their sense of place, and is a golden opportunity to use those assets to support the strategic role of VIsitScotland effectively at local level. Let's hope that Volume 2 arrives soon and picks up on that omission."
