Scottish Conservatives have called for real consultation with stakeholders and businesses involved in the local tourism industry ahead of any cuts to local tourist information centres and service.
In a letter to the Strathearn based MSP, SNP Tourist Minister has confirmed that Crieff will see cuts to the local tourist information centre in the future.
Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife said:
“It is concerning that Visit Scotland are looking to cut tourist information available in Crieff.
“It is quite frankly astonishing that we could see the closure of the tourist information centre in Crieff following a year which is potentially going to be the biggest year for Scottish tourism in Strathearn with Scotland hosting the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
“Tourism is at the heart of the local economy both in Strathearn and across Perthshire. The Crieff tourist information centre has recently seen investment with new external rebranding which clearly, if it is closed, will have been a total waste of taxpayers’ money. It is totally unacceptable that under Visit Scotland proposals potentially only Perth would have a tourist information centre.
“Less than a year ago the SNP Tourism Minister, Fergus Ewing MSP, gave me an assurance over the future of Perthshire tourist information centre – an assurance which is now under threat as he has confirmed that VisitScotland are looking to cut the number of sites and move towards a phone based information service.
“Tourism is vital to the local economy in Strathearn and local businesses will want answers as to how the area will be promoted in the future.
“Many local businesses involved in tourist industry in Strathearn and across Perthshire and Kinross-shire have expressed the concern that for too long visitors arriving in Glasgow or Edinburgh are sent up the A9 to Inverness by-passing our communities and the first class local visitor attractions.
“In the past we have seen the centralisation of local tourism information services which has not worked and which has resulted in the loss of local services. Real consultation with stakeholders and businesses involved in the local tourism industry is needed to make sure that the needs of the area are taken into account.”