Rachael Hamilton MSP met with representatives of the Scottish agritourism industry near Morebattle to discuss its potential in the region.
Scottish Agritourism is the membership organisation for agritourism businesses in Scotland and sits within the umbrella of the Scottish Tourism Alliance.
Owner Robert Wilson (of Wilsons Farm and Kitchen & Cowbog Farm) along with Lucy Tile of Bairnkine Holiday Cottages and David Mactaggart, Hallrule Farms, discussed issues arising in the sector, including the Scottish Government’s plans to introduce new short term let regulations and the lack of funding for expanding agritourism businesses.
Agritourism is top of the Scottish Conservatives’ agenda, with the party having launched proposals to boost the sector.
The Scottish Conservative plan would:
• Establish a centralised rating and quality control scheme for agritourism businesses
• Encouragement of agritourism business models that promote good environmentalism and tackle climate change.
• Create a rural agritourism start-up fund.
• Develop a tier of agritourism qualifications from modern to graduate apprenticeships.
• Involve agritourism in the final stages of the rollout of R100 programme
The Borders MSP offered to take the concerns of the industry to the Scottish Government, with a view to ensuring that more support will be offered in the future to develop new businesses and expand existing ones with a greater focus on ‘staycation’ tourism.
Rachael Hamilton said:
“Agritourism has so many opportunities here in the Borders, and I want to see us attract more tourists to the area to have these wonderful experiences.
“Hearing from Robert, Lucy and David, about the need for the SNP Government to drop new short term let regulation and invest in the sector was very informative, given the challenges the industry faces.
“I want to see these sector flourish, yet the SNP put up barriers in place which stifles growth.
“My party have robust policy plans that offer the sector new opportunities.
“Many of these have been taken on by the Scottish Agritourism group, and I commend the work they do.
“We need to see the SNP Government now work more closely with the Scottish Agritourism group to attract new talent and let the sector grow further”.
Robert Wilson said:
"Representing Scottish Agritourism members in Rachel's constituency, we were delighted some time was found to meet with us too hear about the sectors concerns and opportunities.
"Agritourism will only become more important as there is reduced support for the agricultural sector and farm businesses look for ways to add value".