This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Executive response to Parliament on tourism
21/03/2003
Agreement over recommendations for the future of
Scottish tourism bodes well for the future of one of
Scotland's most important industries, Tourism Minister Mike
Watson said today.
He was issuing the formal response of the Executive to
the report on The Future of Tourism in Scotland published
on January 29 by the Scottish Parliament's Enterprise and
Lifelong Learning Committee.
The report made over 40 detailed recommendations about
all aspects of tourism in Scotland - from air links and
accommodation to skills and training.
Mike Watson said:
"The Committee has done a very thorough job, and I have
already congratulated them on it. This was a
well-considered report that makes a welcome contribution to
the debate about the future of tourism.
"I was pleased that the Committee welcomed much of what
the Executive is already doing, including our £6.8 million
Route Development Fund to attract more direct air routes to
Scotland, and VisitScotland's successful new marketing
campaigns.
"The Committee has also agreed with many of our
strategic priorities for the future of Scottish tourism,
including the continuing development of e-tourism, and a
renewed emphasis on quality, skills and training.
"We have considered and responded to each of the
Committee's recommendations. In this period of heightened
uncertainty for the tourism sector, the Executive remains
particularly committed to working closely with
VisitScotland and the tourism industry to make sure that
Scotland is a must visit, must return tourism destination
capable of competing with the best in the world."