tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1021845168519112922.post1620200957308307453..comments2023-09-07T09:18:17.130+01:00Comments on Tourism Matters | News | Opinion | Discussion | Advice | Innovation | Development: Tourism Committee Discusses StrategyIan McCaighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867447706592162945noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1021845168519112922.post-58345722859187209852012-09-12T09:12:36.786+01:002012-09-12T09:12:36.786+01:00This Wednesday (12 September) the committe will ta...This Wednesday (12 September) the committe will take evidence from Dr Mike Cantlay, Chairman, and Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive, VisitScotland and Fergus Ewing, Minister for Energy, Enterprise & Tourism.<br /><br />rticle in todays Herald:<br /><br />Tourism chief hits out at high taxesSCOTLAND'S tourism boss says the industry is being held back by high taxes and tough visa restrictions which stop people holidaying in the UK.<br /> <br />Malcolm Roughead, chief executive of VisitScotland, said cuts are needed to VAT and air passenger duty to allow the Scottish tourist industry to compete on a level playing field with the rest of Europe.<br /><br />The tourism chief added the UK is in danger of being overtaken by other countries unless politicians make visitor visas easier to obtain.<br /><br />He said: "There's no room for complacency. Tourism is the most competitive industry in the world. Scotland is trying to shout above the noise from more than 200 countries, all hoping to woo the next visitor.<br /><br />"This is an industry which touches every part of Scotland, every business and every person living here. To meet our ambition we need to address the barriers in our way – and to grow tourism we need to act quickly."<br /><br />Will he raise this issue at committee and will he be more vocal with government. <br /><br />I wonder?.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1021845168519112922.post-24969028932937254252012-09-06T20:16:20.110+01:002012-09-06T20:16:20.110+01:00There should be a move to reduce VAT on hotel and ...There should be a move to reduce VAT on hotel and holiday accommodation, which would attract external cash into the UK economy. Many other EC and European countries already have reduced rates in place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1021845168519112922.post-88840721114074050972012-09-06T14:25:07.588+01:002012-09-06T14:25:07.588+01:00A good over view of the Committee discussions.
Yo...A good over view of the Committee discussions.<br /><br />Your point of Staycations well placed. Should the National Tourism Marketing body be allocationg resources to promote Scotland to Scots - I don;t think so. Market forces prevail and its up to destinations and businesses to promote themsleves to the Scottish Market. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com