Meetings

Cairngorms Tourism Partnership 

19th October, 2020

Location: Cairngorms Tourism Emergency Response Group - Via Video-Conference

Cairngorms Tourism Emergency Response Group 19th October 2020, 11am. 

 

1.Welcome and introductions

  Present:  Janet Hunter (Chair), Grant Moir, Chris Foy, Laurie Piper, Belinda Miller, Jackie Apologies: Heather Trench, Pete Crane, Murray Ferguson, Geva Blackett, Rhona Fraser, Colin, Chris Taylor, Mark Tate It should be noted most usual attendees are currently on leave, and those who were able to attend had either broken off from holiday or just returned to work.

2.Respond

Brief updates on new key issues not appearing elsewhere on agenda

DMOs

Visit Aberdeenshire survey results mirrored CBP’s survey and showed there are similar trends for all areas.  It highlighted market issues, what’s happening and how to open and showed there are problems with wasted stock and lost bookings. This is also mirrored in Moray Speyside

VisitScotland

No update

Business Support agencies

Coronavirus Restrictions Hardship Fund – This opens tomorrow until 5^th November.  Grants will be dependent on businesses rateable value and it was stated that some criteria set out for eligibility will be very hard to prove i.e. lost bookings. It was noted the process is confusing and unclear.  CBP have issued some easy to follow information regards the Fund but full details can be found on the Government website here.   Unemployment – Figures show an increasingly bleak picture which is likely to worsen PACE figures since April show 1,800 people have been notified of redundancy in Aberdeenshire, with 6500 in Aberdeen City.  The worst affected industries are energy, hospitality and retail.   Comparison figures for March to August of people who have gone onto Universal Credit are: Aberdeenshire and City - 105% increase; Highland, including rural areas - 85% increase; Tayside - 70% increase.

3.Reset

Nothing to note

4.Restart

 

Visitor Management Issues – CNPA

Rangers have reported that although they are still busy things are a lot calmer. It was noted the seasonal rangers’ contracts come to an end at the end of October although there will be 2 rangers kept on during the winter to help prepare for the next season.   There is work ongoing at a national level with CNPA sitting on the Visitor Management Steering Group and leading on the Investment/Infrastructure sub-group. VS is leading on comms and Police Scotland on enforcement.   Scottish Land and Estatesmeeting on visitor management was held on 8 Oct 2020 and was followed up on 21 October with G Moir doing a presentation to SLE training day on visitor management challenges and solutions.   Plans for end-of-season review with Visitor Management Group Survey Monkey has been used to collect views from people as to what worked and what could be improved.  Results will be collated in a report to go to Board at end of November. The end of season review is being held on 28 October.   RTIF - Loch Muick and Ben A Ghlo bids were not submitted.  However, Lock Muick car park may be taken forward by the Estate.

5.Recover

  Cairngorms Tourism Partnership 9th Nov Cairngorms Tourism Partnership meeting 9^th Nov - Agenda required. – Action: Pete Crane   The CBP held a discussion on 5^th Oct with businesses that took part in original group which resulted in #CairngormsTogether.  Janet and Grant attended the round table session organised by the CBP with Fergus Ewing and Kate Forbes focusing on hospitality and tourism.   Green Recovery Fund has been able to take 13 projects forward including CBP’s application for the work on campervans welcome and facilities.   Funicular business case has been approved and work will start on funicular in November (subject to planning conditions being purified). Hopes to complete by winter 2021.   CNPA Board 27th November 2020. Will be looking at end of season review and an update of the Green Recovery plan – papers will be in public domain by 20^th Nov.

6. AOB

  FLS Glenmore meeting 26^thOct FLS will be leading this meeting with CNPA supporting and will discuss what may be put in place for 2021 with local community.   Blairgowrie and East Perthshire meeting 3^rd Nov Janet will be attending and facilitating with Mark Tate giving a presentation on the Snow Roads.  The meeting will discuss tourism in Glenshee and surrounding area, how it can be reinvigorated/reenergised and where people would like it to go.

7. Date of next meeting

2^nd November @ 11am. This will give the group an opportunity to discuss how half term has gone and temporary measures may have changed.

Cairngorms Tourism Partnership 

28th September, 2020

Location: Cairngorms Tourism Emergency Response Group - Via video-conference

Cairngorms Tourism Partnership 

14th September, 2020

Location: Cairngorms Tourism Emergency Response Group - Via Video-Conference

Cairngorms Tourism Emergency Response Group 14th September 2020, 11am. 

 

1.Welcome and introductions

Present: Janet, Geva, Murray, Laurie, Pete, Chris T, Grant, Alistair Apologies: Heather, Mark, Rona, Chris, Colin S

2.Respond

 

MoraySpeyside

  New Moray Speyside promotional video being ‘gently’ released  https://twitter.com/i/status/1305513302798274562   Business TBID invoices 25% payment at last assessment. Tourism Infrastructure Fund bids focussing on 8 campervan disposal points and Bow Fiddle Rock car parking.   MS, Visit Cairngorms & Loch Ness collectively in discussion with HIE over 3 yr funding bid to support market development extending the visitor season with a strategic approach to ‘new’ market development.  

Visit Scotland

  Covid-19 changes to ‘six gathering’ is currently, short term,  impacting on B&B’s, larger self-catering, and tours. Four & Five Star hotels booking well, three and lower less so – overall rates lower.   The need for DMO’s work clearly demonstrated this summer & VS in discussion with HIE on collective support.   VS developing winter promotion – VS keen to hear of areas/activities that are in need to promotion or are ‘too busy’  

AC

  Similar mixed feedback with some businesses doing well others less so.   Tourism Infrastructure Fund bids being worked up for Braemar and Ballater   Virtual Highland Games well received; 154,000 views in 24 hrs, 225,000 in 48 hrs – mostly NZ, Australia, USA, and Europe.    

CNPA

  Tourism Infrastructure Fund bids being worked up for Loch Muick car park & traffic management, Beinn a Ghlo (Blair Atholl) car park and Dinnet visitor management.   Outdoor Education Centres collectively campaigning for Scottish Gov support – there are a large number of the centres are in and around Cairngorms

3.Reset

  Overview of consumer insights and other research - Scottish Tourism Index – wave 4

4.Restart

  Visitor Management Issues – still busy across CNP and anticipated to continue through to October half terms. Land Managers meetings now fortnightly with a specific focus each meeting on; campervans (9 Sept), traffic management and visitor man planning. Longer end of season review 28^th October.   Media very interested in CNPA mid-term review with their focus on the increase in irresponsible behaviour. CNPA focus being on partnership delivery of reopening, significant but ‘still small’ increase in irresponsible behaviour and responsible behaviour by vast majority of visitors, and the need to plan now for 2021.    

5.Recover

  - RTIF applications covered in 2. CNPA and partners encouraged to share their views with VS on how to make the scheme more effective. Advantages of Scotland wide approach and focus to solving problems such as ‘campervan waste’ agreed with a longer term 3yr+ approach to solving such agreed needs.  

6.Any Other Updates

  Scottish Gov 14 Sept, national partnership meeting looked at how to improve rural visitor experience recognising the need to address both infrastructure and behaviour change.  There are likely to be two national groups emerging to shape this work –  

• Visitor Infrastructure
• Visitor Engagement – education, messaging & enforcement

  Europarc annual conference held virtually with CNPA sharing the Cairngorms Covid-19 stories at an oversubscribed workshop of 60. Common themes across Europe of ‘new’ visitors with an increase in irresponsible behaviour   CNPA looking at the opportunity for a bid to http://www.oecd.org/cfe/leed/tournat.htm   CNP Tourism Partnership full meeting set for 9^th November with a focus on end of year review.   Post Meeting:   Emailed updates from VS   Recovery Activity

• HIE announced they are providing £3m of support to DMOs across the HIE area as part of their response to COVID-19.
• EventScotland will host a webinar tomorrow (Tuesday) on Monetising Online Events.
• There was an update and Q&A published about the Events Industry Advisory Group.
• The Events Industry Support Fund closed today; the Hotels Support Programme closed on 4 September with 214 submissions representing 325 hotels.
• Timings and guidance was shared for the Cultural Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund, administered by Creative Scotland.
• The latest minutes from STERG (3 Sep) were published. Feedback from STERG on the first draft of the Tourism Task Force report has been collated and is currently being reviewed; work on the draft continues, particularly on the prioritisation criteria which will be used to sort the proposed recommendations.
• VisitScotland are convening a ‘responsible camping’ summit this week, to be chaired by Fergus Ewing MSP.

  Marketing

• VisitScotland published a blog on 7 Quirky Aberdeen Streets with Great Places to Stay (also translated into Dutch).
• VisitScotland launched a series of short films promoting the regions of Scotland, including one for Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire, which has already had 48K views.
• VisitBritain will launch their new £5 million autumn domestic campaign, #EscapeTheEveryday, this Wednesday. Industry are invited to take part by sharing their three favourite tips for escaping the everyday. The campaign is designed to inspire consumers to travel and book a UK break this autumn onwards to help with industry recovery. Campaign assets are also available for use. It is thought the campaign will have a strong focus on cities.
• Stories of Aberdeenshire, a joint project between VisitScotland and the Elphinstone Institute launched today.  The £100k LEADER-funded project researched traditional folklore, song and crafts in Aberdeenshire and created a suite of marketing content, promoted throughout Scotland with a modest paid advertising budget. Industry and heritage organisations are invited to share the assets and their own #StoriesofAberdeenshire throughout September and October.

  Other

• Festival UK*2022 launched for applications. The festival aims to enable ten ‘open, original, optimistic, large-scale and extraordinary acts of public engagement that will showcase the UK's creativity and innovation to the world’.  £12m has been earmarked for project delivery within Scotland.
• A new multi-purpose digital arena was proposed for a prominent site next to Slessor Gardens at Dundee’s billion pound waterfront. The future arena would host circa 4,000 seats and an esports academy for further and higher education.
• The Scottish Government published its Programme for Government; highlights specifically relating to tourism can be found on the STA website.

    Visit Britain Video https://www.visitbritain.com/gb/en/escape-everyday

7.Date of next meeting

28^th Sept 2020 11.00 – 12.00

Cairngorms Tourism Partnership 

31st August, 2020

Location: Cairngorms Tourism Emergency Response Group - Via Video-Conference

Cairngorms Tourism Emergency Response Group 31st August 2020, 11am.

1.Welcome and introductions

  Present: Janet, Murray, Mark, Pete, Colin, Chris T, Chris F, Rhona, Alistair, Apologies: Geva, Heather, Laurie (IT issue), Grant

2.Respond

  CBP – exceptionally busy six weeks but clear that many tourism businesses still challenged. Work ongoing on autumn promotion looking at encouraging visitors into November and December   Visit Aberdeen – focus on reputation recovery; city bookings down 70% on 2019 for August. Positive promotion through Virtual Highland Games – due out 12^th September   MoraySpeyside – Updating partners on the TBID - https://www.google.co.uk/search?source=hp&ei=iExOX6mPGYnoUc2XhegH&q=moray+speyside+tourism+bid&oq=moray+speyside+&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQARgBMgsILhDHARCvARCTAjICCAAyCAguEMcBEK8BMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgYIABAWEB4yBggAEBYQHjIGCAAQFhAeMgYIABAWEB46EQguELEDEIMBEMcBEKMCEJMCOggIABCxAxCDAToOCC4QsQMQgwEQxwEQowI6CwguELEDEMcBEKMCOgUIABCxAzoICC4QsQMQgwE6BQguELEDOg4ILhCxAxCDARDHARCvAToRCC4QsQMQgwEQxwEQrwEQkwI6AgguOgQIABAKULcIWNEoYOpIaABwAHgAgAFgiAGzCZIBAjE1mAEAoAEBqgEHZ3dzLXdpeg&sclient=psy-ab   HIE - awaiting feed from Scottish Gov on business case for repairing funicular. Feedback on CairnGorm Mt master plan extended to 14^th Sept. Hotel Fund launched   THC – New, cross service, Tourism Committee to meet 1^st October. Decision making to be determined. CNPA offered to provide update to meeting sharing what has work well and what needs to improve for 2021   Committee comprises: Chair: Ms M Smith (SNP) Vice Chair: Mr G Adam (Lib Dem) Mr R Bremner (SNP) Dr I Cockburn (SNP) Mr C Fraser (SNP) Mr J Gordon (Ind) Mr A Henderson (Ind) Mr A Jarvie (Con) Mr B Lobban (Ind) Mr S Mackie (Con) Mr D Macpherson (Ind) Mr H Morrison (ind) Mrs M  Paterson (Ind) Mr D Rixson (Lib Dem)   AC highlighted ongoing Business Recovery Fund   Visit Scotland: The Events Industry Support Fund will comprise of a grant of up to £10,000 ,per business, to support businesses in the events industry, particularly those in the supply chain that are facing hardship and will be awarded as they are received   UK research indicating more people more confident in a range of activities – eating out, visiting attractions and staying in hotels (more likely than self-catering in autumn) with 2-3 night stay popular.

3.Reset

- Hotel support funding - https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/service/funding/hotel-support-programme - Overview of consumer insights and other research – Snap shot from seasonal ranger research (156 interviews)  

• Unsurprisingly, the biggest change is a collapse in the number of international visitors.  In August 2019, 38% of visitors interviewed were from overseas.  In 2020 only 4 of the 156 were from overseas, all from continental Europe.

 

• Looking only at domestic UK visitors, there was a slight decrease in visitors from England, from 42% of domestic visitors in 2019 to 33% in 2020.

 

• Looking at visitors from Scotland, 65% were on an overnight trip rather than a day visit, a slight increase from 60% in 2019.  

 

• There was only a very modest increase in first-time visitors.  27% said that they had not visited the National Park before, compared with 23% of domestic visitors in August 2019.

 

• There appears to be a slight shift towards a younger demographic, with an increase in visitors under the age of 35, and a decrease in those older compared with domestic visitors in August 2020.

  Nature Scotland – cross Scotland repeat of 1000 May survey on attitudes to countryside to be undertaken again in August

4.Restart

Visitor Management Issues – busy at Muir of Dinnet and Glen Tanar, road open to Loch Muick & addition car park used at Mar Lodge. Glenmore busy but less than previous weeks. Graffiti on Ryvoan Bothy widely reported on social media.   Visitor Services & Communications CNPA board paper -11^th September celebrating partnership work of this group and Land Managers (circulated when on line) followed by Plans for end-of-season review with Visitor Management Group   Business re-opening situation and issues – exceptionally challenging for many businesses coping with the same economic input of ‘three winters’. Easing of Furlough is likely to lead to further bankruptcy   Communications Framework phase 3/4 messages – CNPA  focus on responsible access, opportunities in and around communities (away from ‘big six’ outdoor hot spots). Virtual Wee Walks Week promoted 3^rd week in September. CBP working with VS on messaging new audience about camping and campervans. BBC Social using new influences to promote responsible access.   - Feedback from community meetings 27^th August – attendance lower than in ‘lockdown’ indicating concerns had not turned into as many problems as feared, and lots of positive feedback from the collective partnership working. Tensions between the need for visitors and having visitors still an issue in some communities.

5.Recover

- RTIF applications – CNPA looking at three applications car parks nr Blair Atholl, Loch Muich and campsite/car parks at Muir of Dinnet. Aberdeenshire and car park improvements in Braemar and Ballater.   - Autumn marketing plans – CBP developing late autumn marketing, updates to follow

6.Any Other Updates

VS & HIE, with Campa, considering ways how to improve and better promote campervan infrastructure. Involvement of Judith Young (Scot Gov lead) and SE not clear – more info needed as work develops   THC worked with Scottish Water and SEPA on campervan waste options in rural areas – paper to follow when agreed by partners.

7.Date of next meeting

14th September 11.00 – 12.00

Cairngorms Tourism Partnership 

17th August, 2020

Location: Cairngorms Tourism Emergency Response Group - Via Video-Conference

Cairngorms Tourism Emergency Response Group 17th August 2020, 11am. 

 

1.Welcome and introductions

Apologies: Janet, Geva, Mark, Laurie, Chris F Present: Murray, Heather, Pete, Colin S, Chris T, Grant, Rhona, Alistair

2.Respond

Brief updates on new key issues not appearing elsewhere on agenda   DMOs: The online Test and Protect scheme developed for the CBP by a member business is now rolling out across Chambers of Commerce nation-wide.   VisitScotland: Marketing remains focused on a domestic Scottish audience at the moment, with digital activity progressing on Trip Adviser etc.  I-centres are now open at Aviemore and Ballater, getting around 100 visitors a day.  They are focused on visitor info rather than retail and bookings for the time being.  The communications team are looking for examples of businesses who have been successfully re-opening as potential case studies, suggestions welcome.   Business Support agencies: HIE will over the next few weeks, develop details of support for DMOs, which will be critical to recovery.  The funicular repair business case has now been submitted to minsters.   Highland Council are processing the last few grants remaining out of 8000 processed, with a total of £78m granted across the region.  They are also dealing with issues around dirty camping, motorhomes etc.  The new Highland Council Tourism Committee, chaired by Maxine Smith, met for first time to look at these issues, and the waste and roads departments will pull together a report for the group.  This is now a formal committee rather than a working group, though it doesn’t have a specific council service behind it, rather it will be cross-cutting various services, with no specific budget. CNPA to give a presentation on visitor management work to either this committee, or the visitor management group, which will continue to run post-Covid.   Aberdeenshire Council also have a few remaining grants to be processed.  The impacts of Aberdeen’s lockdown are being felt in Aberdeenshire and there is discussion with the Scottish Government about financial support for businesses affected by local lockdowns.  A virtual Highland Games will be filmed in Braemar, with no audience allowed in the games arena.  This will be promoted by VisitScotland and VisitAberdeenshire.

3.Reset

Overview of consumer insights and other research: The CBP occupancy survey second wave results are now available here.  Self-catering continues to see better bookings than serviced accommodation, but hotels are in a stronger position than in the last wave.  VisitScotland are also finding that cafes are doing well, particularly from the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, and tourist retail also seems strong. CNPA ranger visitor survey will finish today and a short report will be available for the next meeting. The last report from the 2019/20 Cairngorms Visitor Survey compares our results with the data from Loch Lomond & the Trossachs (attached).

4.Restart

Visitor Management Issues: In the western area of the Park, Glenmore is still the main hotspot but bollards and markers seem to be working well, backed by rangers and FLS staff.  The electronic sign at Rothiemurchus is focusing on key messages of no fires or litter.  The vast majority of visitor are behaving responsibility.  Other areas seeing parking issues include Loch Insh and Achlean, so bollards are also now in place there.   In Deeside, Loch Muick was full by 9am on Saturday and the road closed until 3pm, with 85 cars turned away.  Muir of Dinnet was also overfull on Sunday and Dinnet Estates are looking into to developing a visitor centre and car park to take pressure from the SNH car park.  Linn of Dee overflow car park had 75 cars, with others turned away, but needed 2 staff manning the area all day.   There was a discussion about longer-term planning for future issues. CNPA will arrange an end of season review meeting with an aim to draw up visitor management plans over autumn / winter.  Regardless of whether the new audiences we are seeing continue to return, investment in visitor facilities are overdue in some areas.  There will also be a need for an information campaign to some of the new audiences over the winter.  

Communications Framework phase 3/4 messages:

A new initiative, prompted by Mark, is bringing VisitScotland together with Communications Managers  from key agencies and Scottish Tourism Alliance with the aim of reaching new audiences in an innovative way eg. through BBC The Social. The next meeting is on Friday, and Francoise will be contact from CNPA.  

Community Meetings:

On 27^th August there will be three online meetings with community council reps and members of the public to give an update on visitor management work and re-opening issues.

5.Recover

CNPA Green Recovery Fund Launch: After discussion with CNPA board on Friday, the fund will be launched on Wednesday and will remain open for a month. Decisions will be made on funding by end September, for project delivery October to March.  The fund consists of £100k from CNPA & £30k from Cairngorms Trust.  Individual business can apply but groups of businesses working in partnership are preferred.  

6.Other

The Heritage Horizons Advisory Board met last week.  The project, which has themes of People, Power and Place, is one of 12 through to this stage of the bid, with probably 5 or 6 likely to be funded.  The bid will be submitted in February.  If successful there would then be a 2 year development phase and 5 year delivery phase with a total investment of £50 million.   The CNPA response to the current Cairngorm Mountain consultation will be submitted shortly, with a focus on better transport infrastructure.   RTIF project at Glenmore not yet delivered, a meeting to discuss progress will be held with VisitScotland. Discussions are taking place around the 3^rd round of RTIF, focusing on campervan and parking issues.  The deadline for Expression of Interest is next month.

7.Date of Next Meeting

Monday 31^st August at 11am