Achieving consistent ‘buy-in’ to the National Park brand across the National Park;
Promoting the National Park and surrounding regional destinations, eg Aberdeenshire and Inverness & Loch Ness, to their mutual benefit;
Limited public transport;
Increasing pressure on infrastructure including roads, rail, housing, business premises;
Comparatively poor broadband and mobile reception in the remoter areas of the National Park;
A lack of Further and Higher Education opportunities;
Attracting investment for key infrastructure projects; and
A continued heavy reliance on low-wage tourism sector.
Angus Findlay
Economic Impact of Tourism
TARGETS PREFERRED DIRECTION
Deliver the Cairngorms National Park Economic Strategy’s
(2015-2018) priorities for:
Tourism: consolidating and enhancing the strong brand of the National Park throughout the visitor journey; creating a more valuable, resilient year round tourism economy with increased profitability and local prosperity
Forestry: supporting a more valuable and resilient forestry sector with increased profitability and local prosperity
Food and Drink: encouraging a growing food and drink sector locally and with new markets
Energy and Renewables: encouraging businesses to use less energy, reduce costs, and generate income from renewable energy;
A growing business sector with increasing employment;
Improving and increasing Further and Higher Education opportunities within the National Park to support key sectors;
Increased investment in businesses and infrastructure to make better connections to the natural capital (the natural assets and
special qualities) of the National Park;
Improve physical infrastructure and digital connectivity in the National Park to support a growing economy; and
Developing a better understanding of current and future economic trends and opportunities.
Strategic Projects and super-fast broadband provision in the Cairngorms National Park
MECHANISMS FOR DELIVERY
Cairngorms Business Partnership – providing business leadership and promoting collaboration
Cairngorms Economic Forum and Strategy Business Support Group
Cairngorms Local Action Group
Cairngorms Tourism Partnership
Cairngorms Nature Strategy Group
Digital Cairngorms Steering Group
Cairngorms Community Broadband Project
Anke Addy
ISSUE 9 | KEY QUESTIONS
How can the National Park tourism sector be strengthened?
How can businesses be better connected with the natural environment for economic benefit?
What more can be done to diversify the National Park’s economy beyond tourism?
Have the right key infrastructure priorities been identified, or are there others that should be included?