Paper 5 Sustainable tourism action plan

This document contains an update for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Board on the progress of the Sustainable Tourism Action Plan (STAP) 2022-2027. The STAP aims to support the tourism industry while aligning with the National Park Partnership Plan 4 (NPPP4) and Scotland Outlook 2030. Recent developments in tourism policy, including short term let licensing schemes and the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act, are affecting the business environment. VisitScotland is shifting to a digital-first approach, which will see the closure of i-Centres. The Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund is reopening in 2025/26. Key activities include the 'Love Nature, Love Cairngorms National Park' campaign and efforts to promote local career opportunities in tourism. The Cairngorms National Park Authority monitors visitor trends and business sentiment, noting a slight dip in domestic holidays but strong international tourism in 2024. The next STAP update is scheduled for March 2026.