Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP, Murdo Fraser, has hit out at plans to close three Perthshire tourist information centres.
VisitScotland Chairman, Lord John Thurso, yesterday announced that the Aberfeldy, Dunkeld and Blairgowrie sites are all due to close within the next two years.
Regional tourist information hubs will remain in Perth and Pitlochry with visitors now expected to access other information via apps and web pages.
Visit Scotland has said that the affected employees will be offered a redundancy package or a chance at redeployment elsewhere.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said;
“This news is extremely disappointing for everyone involved in the tourism industry in Perth and Kinross. The advent of smart phones has undoubtedly improved the visitor experience but there is still a place for physical tourist information sites, particularly at these three locations.
“With mobile internet access patchy at best across much of rural Perth and Kinross, it’s ambitious to think that tourists will be able to use the internet and access app content whilst out and about.
“I would encourage VisitScotland to think again when it comes to closing these site, as nothing comes close to replacing the insider information offered at these three tourist information centres.”