New taskforce to look at recovery of tourism industry

A new taskforce will look at how to drive recovery of Scotland’s tourism sector.

The Scottish Tourism Recover Taskforce (STRT) is made up of more than 30 businesses with experience from across the industry, co-chaired by Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing and Business Minister Jamie Hepburn.

The group will meet regularly to provide strategic advice on recovering from the impacts of coronavirus.

It follows a package of measures, including tourism and hospitality guidance and more than £2.3bn on business support.

The Scottish tourism industry has been told it can begin to reopen from July 15.

Speaking ahead of the Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Committee, Mr Ewing said: “Scotland’s tourism and hospitality sector has been hit hard by this pandemic and we do not underestimate the crisis this has created.

“The Scottish Government has been doing everything in its power to support the sector through the challenges it faces.

“We’re continuing to listen to industry and exploring how we can help. That job is not yet finished and we are looking at what further support can be made available to tourism and hospitality businesses.

“Today’s meeting of the STRT is a key milestone in the recovery of tourism and hospitality in Scotland.

“A range of organisations from across this diverse sector will come together to share ideas and expertise on how we can overcome the challenges Covid-19 continues to present.”

The taskforce will look at developing a domestic marketing campaign which will promote the staycation market.

It will look at development and training to support tourism staff and businesses.

Early restart and recovery plans will also be commissioned for the events sector, as well as generating conversations with the public around tourism and the benefits it brings to local and rural communities.