Letters: Tourism crisis?

Your report on Scotland's drop in tourist numbers (28 January) over the past year does not reflect the uplift in tourism being experienced by parts of Scotland which have previously remained off the radar for many domestic and international tourists.

Here on Jura we have seen a year-on-year growth in tourist numbers over the past three years, up 10 per cent on last year's numbers. Our own experience of increased visitor numbers is a sign that many of Scotland's untapped destinations are beginning to acknowledge their potential as tourism destinations and make efforts to realise that potential.

Whilst it is difficult to single out any one significant reason for the increase, our own experience shows that whisky tourism continues to be an increasingly popular attraction for both domestic and international tourists.

So while Scotland is right to continue playing on its culture, heritage and landscape as major attractions for visitors, there are clearly other assets which must be harnessed if we are to continue building Scotland's reputation as a premier tourist destination.

Willie Cochrane

Distillery manager, Jura

Isle of Jura Distillery

With reference to your report on tourism in Scotland, my involvement in the industry goes back to the halcyon days of the 1960s, when every summer was guaranteed to be busy. Since then we have seen the gradual decline in visitors. There are many reasons for this apart from the obvious one of once-cheap foreign travel.

While I agree that there are lots of newcomers who run very successful establishments, there are too many who have the old attitude: "Let's buy a hotel to retire to" and have no idea how to give good service. During the past few years spiralling costs have pushed up prices for guests, staff wages escalate every year, and the outlook for 2011 seems bleak, with hikes in the cost of fuel.

How often does one read about bad service? This is endemic through out the industry. The answer to my mind is for the small operator to remember that they are a service industry, and as such will have to experience the flak as well as the joys of running a small hotel.

I have trimmed the cost of my B&B. I started last year and found it very successful, and will continue in the hope that the tourists will appreciate the fact.

CJW Slater

Contin

By Strathpeffer