Associate feature: Getting tourism back to business

With the publication of Scotland’s road map out of the current lockdown, things are beginning to look and to feel much more positive.

However, it will still be some time before tourism businesses are open and operating at anything like their 2019 levels. So, it is essential that financial support for the sector continues.

VisitScotland is administering a number of funds to support businesses through, what we all hope will be, the final stages of lockdown. And then comes recovery and our industry will need ongoing assistance to get fully back on its feet.

The Scottish Government’s budget last month which continued with business rate relief at 100% along with further business support, and the UK Government’s budget which extended furlough and the reduction in VAT, are providing a lifeline to the sector and the people who work in it.

Businesses are now considering what restart will mean for them and what the coming season will hold.

Whilst international travel may be further off, the staycation market will deliver strongly for Scotland.

We will be ready for that, both in terms of visitor management and in delivering campaigns that encourage responsible tourism.

We will also continue to work with our industry partners to ensure that businesses have the confidence and the support they need to reopen and to begin trading successfully again.

Tourism is a force for good. With continued government commitment to this most precious of sectors, tourism will move on from the impact of the pandemic quickly and, I believe, can help to lead economic recovery, creating jobs and opportunities in every community.

Finally, VisitScotland looks forward to continuing to build cross party support for tourism at the Scottish Parliament after the May election. There will be much to do, but by working together we can deliver new successes for tourism.

The piece was sponsored by VisitScotland