New £14m Hotel Support Programme Launched
A new Hotel Support Programme has been launched to help protect sustainable employment in the medium term within larger hotels in Scotland.
This new programme consists of £14 million funding from the Scottish Government, plus bespoke packages of wrap-around business support provided by Scotland’s enterprise agencies and their partners.
The programme will be managed in partnership by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise and VisitScotland and will offer support to the value of £250,000 per unit.
The support given will aim to help achieve the following programme outcomes:
- Protecting jobs over the medium term – for example, by protecting the jobs of key employees until April 2021, or ensuring hotels can recruit new staff by April 2021. Given the uncertainties facing the sector, this timeframe may change depending on the performance of the sector and behaviour of visitors;
- Continuing to play a critical role in supporting the local economy and wider Scottish economy – for example, as a key employer, through use of local or national suppliers or through engagement with local businesses and communities; and
- A strong commitment to the priorities and principles of Scotland Outlook 2030, the national tourism strategy, including developing fair work practices and reducing carbon emissions.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the tourism industry, and it will need financial support for some time to come to help it recover.
This programme will help to support a vital sector of the country’s tourism offering during these unprecedented times.
Criteria includes the requirement of a rateable value of more than £51,000, employ at least 50 employees, have operated since before December 2019, be based in Scotland and Provide jobs that are critical to the local economy and the recovery of the tourism sector.
All information including full eligibility criteria and details of how to submit an expression of interest can be found on the cross-agency website below.
