'Work together' plea to tourism and communities ahead of visitors' return
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
DINGWALL-based MSP Kate Forbes is urging tourism businesses and organisations to engage with local communities as the industry prepares to re-open next month.
Subject to the R rate – the measure of coronavirus infectiousness – remaining at a satisfactory level, the Scottish Government has earmarked July 15 as the date tourism can re-start in Scotland.
The move will rely on sufficient social distancing and hygiene measures being put in place.
Ms Forbes has many tourist hotspots in her constituency such as Loch Ness, the Fairy Pools on Skye, Loch Morlich near Aviemore, Rosemarkie beach on the Black Isle, and the Glenfinnan viaduct in Lochaber.
“Now that the Scottish Government has published its route map and given a conditional date of 15 July for the tourism industry to start reopening, it is incumbent on all of us to work together,” Ms Forbes said.
“I would like to see tourism businesses and organisations engaging with local communities who might have questions about what it means for them, and vice versa.
“I know that people have questions about how the rural economy slowly starts to ease out of lockdown, and tourism has always been the lifeblood of the Highlands and Islands.
“I have discussed this with the Scottish Tourism Alliance also, who recognise the importance of working with local communities and supporting guidance that offers reassurance.
“There are good examples in places like Fort Augustus, where local businesses have consciously and intentionally engaged with the local community to discuss how everybody will work together.
“It would be good to see that mirrored elsewhere.
“The Chambers of Commerce have done an exceptional job in engaging with Government and keeping their business members informed.
“Now is an opportunity to reach out to local people and share, in a transparent way, how rural communities will work together.
“We are all in this together.”
Related: Flights resume at Inverness Airport
Plea for 'nuanced' message to visitors as tourism industry plots return
Target date set for restart of tourist season
