Marc Crothall unveiled as figurehead of Scotland’s tourism industry

Marc Crothall, the new chief executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, has a long track record working in sports, leisure and hospitality sectors across Britain, with events such as Royal Ascot, the Cheltenham Festival, Henley Regatta and cricket Tests at Lord’s and Edgbaston.

He has held senior posts masterminding catering operations at the likes of the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, the SECC and Alton Towers, as well as helping to run hotels in South Africa, London and the Channel Islands.

In recent years, Mr Crothall has been running health clubs in Glasgow for the David Lloyd Leisure Group, as well as a two-year stint in charge of the Freedom of the Glen hotel group.

Mr Crothall has replaced Iain Herbert, who left the group – in its previous incarnation as the Scottish Tourism Forum – last year after a cash crisis brought it to the brink of collapse. He was told the organisation, which is funded by private businesses, could no longer afford his reputed £60,000 salary.

The body, which has been running for 14 years, is the main campaigning and lobby group for the £11 billion industry, with senior figures regularly meeting Scottish Government ministers and the heads of VisitScotland.

It is due to publish its own long-term vision for the Scottish tourism industry next month. Latest figures suggest the industry supports more than 20,000 businesses and 210,000 jobs.

Mr Crothall said: “I’m delighted to join at what is an exciting and important time for the tourism industry in Scotland.

“I look forward to making sure the alliance provides the required levels of support and benefit to its members as well as playing a pivotal role in helping the industry achieve the new national strategy.”