This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Ministers welcome VisitScotland's measures to assist Scottish Tourist businesses
04/04/2001
Deputy First Minister, Jim Wallace, and Minister for Tourism, Alasdair Morrison today welcomed measures to provide immediate assistance to tourism businesses hit by the effects of Foot and Mouth disease. Both Ministers were meeting tourism businesses at the Scottish Travel Fair in Glasgow.
Speaking to tourist businesses at Scotland's Travel Fair in Glasgow, Mr Wallace said:
"The measures announced today by visitscotland reinforce the message that Scotland is open for business. Despite severe difficulties being experienced in some parts of the country, visitors can still enjoy some of Europe's most breathtaking scenery and natural environment.
"With common sense attention to our Comeback Code all of the activities of the outdoors are available to tourists. Cultural and artistic events and our dynamic and diverse cities will continue to provide a warm and heartfelt welcome.
"But the effects of Foot and Mouth are being felt by tourist businesses across Scotland.
"I am particularly pleased therefore that in addition to a national marketing campaign, funding is being given to each Area Tourist Board for local marketing initiatives. The local Boards are best placed to know exactly how the needs of businesses in their area can best be met.
"I am confident that these actions by visitscotland, together with all of the other action that we are taking, will provide the help that individual businesses need and drive home the message that Scotland is open for business."
Mr Morrison added:
"visitscotland under the leadership of their new Chairman, Peter Lederer, has moved quickly to develop proposals to spend the £5 million that we have provided to them to assist tourism businesses that are suffering because of the effects of foot and mouth disease.
"Tourism businesses throughout Scotland are experiencing a downturn. The package of measures prepared by visitscotland will provide a boost to all business that are members of their Area Tourist Board and who participate in the Quality Assurance schemes.
"Special assistance is being given to businesses in the affected areas, as I promised would happen when I visited Dumfries and Galloway last month.
"The industry will also benefit from the marketing and information campaign that visitscotland will undertake."
Minister for Enterprise, Wendy Alexander last week announced visitscotland would receive an extra £5 million funding from the Scottish Executive to support businesses experiencing hardship following the Foot and Mouth outbreak.
The measures announced by visitscotland include:
- 50 per cent relief on Area Tourist Board membership fees across Scotland (£1.5m)
- 50 per cent relief on quality assurance scheme fees across Scotland (£0.7m)
- Local marketing initiatives for ATB members (£1.4m)
- Immediate assistance for infected areas in the South West of Scotland (£0.3m)
- National and international information and marketing by visitscotland (£2.3m)
BACKGROUND
The Scottish Executive announced on 28 March a package of measures to address the serious problems that are being faced by Scotland's businesses as a result of Foot and Mouth disease.
News Release: SE0915/2001
4 Apr 2001