The SNP government must stump up funding for Scotland’s tourism sector and launch a wide-ranging marketing campaign to make up for lost time, Rachael Hamilton MSP has said.
Hospitality and tourism in England will be allowed to reopen from 4th July, meaning companies will be able to capitalise on the busiest time of year.
However, in Scotland it won’t be until the 15th July until hospitality businesses can reopen.
The Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Rachael Hamilton has said that SNP Ministers must help kick-start the tourism sector.
She has called for the creation of a fund to help the sector get through the lost two weeks of income, and has demanded that the Scottish Government generates an advertising campaign to encourage “staycations” and for holidaymakers elsewhere in the UK to choose Scotland.
Many businesses in hospitality, tourism and retail suffered as a result of loopholes within the SNP’s botched £25,000 emergency business grant, and will suffer even more as a result of this latest delay.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“The two-week lag for the tourism and hospitality sector in Scotland is costing the sector millions.
“From the Borders to Benbecula, tourism businesses want a relaxation of the 2 metre rule to ensure that they can make the opening of their businesses more viable.
“To make up for lost ground, the SNP Government must step in and make sure they support the sector fully, given just over the borders, hotels and other hospitality businesses are reopening.
“We also need the Scottish Government to fund a large scale marketing campaign to encourage people to visit our wonderful country on a staycation.
“The SNP must take the reins and ensure that the tourism sector comes back fighting fit”.