MSPs to hold troubled tourism industry to account

Published on Tuesday 6 November 2007 00:46

A NEW inquiry into the prospects for the multi-billion-pound Scottish tourism industry is to be launched this week.

The Scottish Parliament's economy, energy and enterprise committee, chaired by the former Liberal Democrat transport minister Tavish Scott MSP, is to examine the prospects of meeting the industry's revenue growth target of 50 per cent by 2015, in the light of last year's downbeat showing by the 4 billion-plus industry.

Defining the remit of the inquiry, due to report in the spring of 2008, the clerk of the committee said: "Despite the growth ambition and a 14 per cent increase in the number of foreign visitors in 2006, total spending by tourists in Scotland in 2006 fell by 1.3 per cent. This was because domestic visitors, which account for the majority of all visitors, declined by over 10 per cent."

The inquiry, which will be led by an external industry expert, will look at the achievability of the growth target. It will examine ways of increasing revenue "without prejudicing value for money and the experiences of the visitor". Also on its agenda will be "shortcomings in relation to skills, training, quality standards, service levels and leadership".

Other lines of inquiry are investment, infrastructure, seasonality, the regulatory environment and the planning regime.

A spokeswoman for VisitScotland said: "We welcome this inquiry. While the industry in Scotland has a solid foundation for growth, there is also great potential that is not currently being realised.

"This will require intervention and investment from all tourism stakeholders."

She concluded: "By focusing on the investment required - time and energy as well as financial resources - the committee can help shape the future for Scottish tourism."