This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Minister praises tourism in Highlands & Islands
04/06/2004
Working together to grow tourism will mean more jobs in
the Highlands and Islands, Tourism Minister Frank McAveety
said today.
Tourism is one of Scotland's biggest business sectors -
and the Highlands and Islands and its many wonderful assets
play a vital part in building the Scottish tourism
industry.
The area was voted among the very best global
destinations for its natural environment and landscape, and
our challenge is to develop every aspect of our tourism
industry to achieve more world accolades.
Speaking at the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Network
annual conference at Sabhal Mor Ostaig on Skye, the
Minister said:
"National Geographic magazine recently placed the
Highlands and Islands among the top ten global destinations
for its natural beauty and stunning landscape. This
accolade does not come as a surprise to me.
"We have wonderfully diverse assets that tourists from
all over the world come here to enjoy. From cultural
festivals, the highland games, golf breaks, genealogy-based
holidays, wildlife trips and whisky tourism - to activity
holidays which include walking, climbing, mountain biking
and wind-surfing. And all of these against a breath-taking
backdrop.
"While much has already been achieved within the
industry, there is more being done to make the best of what
Scotland and the Highlands and Islands
can offer.
"Tourism in Scotland employs nearly 8% of the workforce.
In the Highlands and Islands the figure is 15%. We must
continue to invest in our people by giving them the skills
and training to deliver a world-class customer service.
"We must also build on recent successes to make Scotland
and the Highlands and Islands more accessible. Through the
Route Development Fund and other initiatives, links to and
from the Highlands and Islands both within Scotland and
abroad are being strengthened.
"All of this work together with other initiatives being
undertaken by partners will sharpen the product we deliver,
increase visitor numbers, and ultimately strengthen the
local and national economies by generating more revenue and
creating more jobs.
"Our aim is to increase visitor spend in Scotland by 50%
to £6 billion by 2015. The Highlands and Islands, its
people and its places, will play a major part in ensuring
we make our ambition a reality."
Tourism is one of Scotland's biggest business sectors.
It accounts for over 200,000 or 8% of Scottish jobs, but
this figure rises to 15% in parts of the Highlands and
Islands. Some 8% of the Highlands and Islands GDP and 15%
of the employment is attributable to tourism, compared with
4% and 9% respectively in Scotland overall.
Total visitor spend in the Highlands and Islands in 2002
was £839m. UK residents represent by far Scotland's biggest
tourism market, accounting for over 90% of trips and over
80% of spend. During 2002, UK residents took 18.5 million
trips in Scotland, of which 13% (2.4m trips) were to the
Highlands of Scotland. During the same year overseas
visitors to Scotland as a whole spent £811 million. Of
that, £95 million (12%) was spent in the Highlands.
One of the prime challenges for rural tourism is
access. HIE and Highlands and Islands Airports have been
working to better air links.
Through the Executive's Route Development Fund and
other initiatives, links from the Highlands and Islands to
other areas have been strengthened by new direct air
services between Inverness - Birmingham, and Stockholm
(which has not yet started), and between Kirkwall and
Bergen (summer only).
Within the Highlands and Islands, the emphasis has been
on improving access by land and sea. The establishment of
the Tobermory - Kilchoan ferry service on an all year round
basis; an extended summer timetable period on the West
Highland Line; and the first Sunday train services to Kyle,
Wick and Thurso will significantly improve access for local
residents and visitors.