Meetings

Cairngorms Tourism Partnership 

6th July, 2020

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

Cairngorms Tourism Emergency Response Group 6th July 2020, 11am. 

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

1.Welcome and introductions

2.RESPOND

Brief updates on new key issues from DMOs, VisitScotland and Business Support agencies CBP launched status.visitcairngorms.com at the weekend and are updating it regularly as information comes in from businesses.  This section will be updated directly by businesses when the new website is up and running next month.  VisitAberdeenshire are also keeping listings regularly updated with business information. VisitScotland are continuing to push planning and re-assurance messages through marketing channels and have launched a visitor charter.  They are working on a range of marketing films that will be out from 15th July.  Over 2000 businesses are signed up to Good to Go and that will be searchable on vs.com from this week.  VICs are gearing up for re-opening but have no fixed date yet.  In the meantime, they are active answering online and telephone queries etc. CNPA are gathering opening data from LICs as well. HIE are working through appeals on funding schemes.  In total there were over 900 applications across HIE area. Local authorities are doing a final push top promote the grant schemes before they end this week, though there will then be a few weeks to process the applications and chase for follow-up information.  Highland Council flagged that, while initial schemes had an application success rate of around 95%, that has fallen to around 50% with the latest B&B scheme, with many applications from desperate self-catering providers who haven’t been able to access any other support. Aberdeenshire Council are continuing their series of webinar re-opening workshops, and have also fed into VisitAberdeenshire sectoral workshops.

3.RESET

Overview of consumer insights and other research The latest survey results are available at VS marketing intelligence 01/07 and VisitBritain tracker. Progressive Partnership, who did the visitor survey research, are now doing follow-up desk research to look at the data in light of 4 post-Covid bits of consumer sentiment research  - the Scottish Tourism Index, VisitBritain tourism sentiment tracker, CBP consumer survey and SNH recreation survey. CBP have started running a monthly accommodation occupancy survey to gauge what levels of bookings are coming in.  This will influence the plans for an ‘extended season’ marketing campaign in November / December.

4.RESTART

Visitor Management Issues

Initial feedback from the weekend suggest that there were not many visitor management issues, probably due to the poor weather, though also perhaps because of the return of more regular visitors who had been following the 5-mile guidance. Geva flagged up an issue with human waste in Braemar despite the toilets having now re-opened. In terms of visitor facilities, details of car parks and toilets are up to date on the CNPA website.  Variable signage is in place on A93, though there are technical issues with the existing signs at Muir of Dinnet and Glen Muick. All Invercauld car parks are now open and signs removed, but both Cairngorm Mountain car parks are still closed with tree trunks across them, leading to cars parked on the road instead. Rhona to chase and see if they can open this week despite facilities not opening until 15^th July. Camping in the Forest have been asked again to open their Glenmore campsite by 15^th and Grant will be approaching Julia Bradbury, chair of the Camping and Caravanning Club to discuss.  He has also asked FLS to look into setting up some sort of camping facility at Glenmore in the absence of Glenmore Campsite.  Fergus Ewing has also asked FLS to look into providing campervan overnight parking where appropriate.  Plans are underway for the pop-up campsite at Mar Lodge.  Initially this will be under the 28 days rule that doesn’t require planning permission, thereafter it will be discussed with Aberdeenshire Council. The message from the Scottish government at the moment is that visitors are asked to refrain from wild camping just now, but it is not illegal to do so.  There were some negative social media comments about the failure of seasonal rangers to stop camping over the weekend, however they can only advise on litter, fires etc., they cannot ask people to stop camping.

Business re-opening situation and issues

Some bars and cafes are re-opening outdoor space today, and most attractions are planning to open on 15^th July.

Communications Framework phase 2/3 messages

CBP messaging is now proactive and asking people to plan their visit in advance and behave responsibly.  A post this weekend showed an image of Loch Morlich with messaging around litter and toilet provision.  Paid promotion to those who don’t follow us.  Growth fund money will be used for promotion, perhaps to target new visitors with links to the re-opening information on CBP & CNPA websites.  This information was also included in a visitor facing newsletter. Grant has circulated the communications framework and video to the community council chairs as discussed.  Kirk Watson is filming the outdoor access video over the next week or two.  National Parks UK have also produced a video signposting to the 4 key messages on their website that formed the basis of the communications framework. Mark, Grant and Pete are meeting Chris Tiso on Friday to discuss a potential campaign around camping and responsible access.

5.RECOVER

Nothing to report.

6.Any Other Updates

Nothing to report.

Date of next meeting

Monday 13^th July at 11am.

Call-ins 

6th July, 2020

Cairngorms Tourism Partnership 

29th June, 2020

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

Cairngorms Tourism Emergency Response Group 29th June 2020, 11am.

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

1.Welcome and introductions

2.RESPOND

Brief updates on new key issues from DMOs, VisitScotland and Business Support agencies In advance of the closure of grant schemes on the 10^th July, there will be a final burst of promotion to encourage businesses to apply.

3.RESET

Overview of consumer insights and other research Latest research is available at VS marketing intelligence 24/06 & VisitBritain tracker   Communications plan for 2019/20 tourism data There was a brief discussion on the tourism data communications plan.  It was agreed that, given the revised opening date of 3^rd July, the press release from CNPA/CBP should go out around the weekend.  Hopefully the final report would be available on CNPA website at that point, but the infographic and dashboards on the website would have to follow at a later date.  It should also be possible to include the annual Business Barometer report.   HIE are working on an economic paper on Covid impact, it will provide a regional picture but will also do more granular analysis.   Cambridge University. Cambridge University did not get the funding to progress the ESRC project that we had been asked to get involved in. We now have the interim report for the Fidelio Project (looking at social impacts of protected areas) but have asked the researchers not to undertake further work in 2020 and to approach us again in 2021.

4.RESTART

Visitor Management Issues

- Initial weekend feedback Seasonal rangers have been out over the weekend, working in pairs and submitting daily reports and photos.  As in previous weekends, there were issues with littering and toileting, and clearly people travelling more than 5 miles for recreation.   -  Provision of visitor facilities Public toilets have re-opened in Carrbridge, Nethy Bridge and Aviemore.  CNPA have requested information from other partners about toilets and car parks by Wednesday, to ensure that accurate data is on the website by Friday. CNPA are looking at ways to get images and messaging out ASAP when car parks are full.  The funding, supplier & locations for road signs on A93 are agreed, but need to agree wording for the signs.   - Camping & campervans There are no details yet on the extent to which camping is permitted from Friday, but Grant has asked for clarification ASAP.  There is concern that if campsites are not permitted to re-open, there will still be an influx of wild campers and campervans as ‘self-contained’ accommodation.  There remains particular concern about the closure of the campsite at Glenmore.  

Communications Framework phase 2/3 messages

The CBP welcome back video went live on social media on Sunday evening and has been well-received, with 9k views so far.  VisitScotland will also share it on Monday morning.  CBP will that up this week with calls to action around the communications framework, including a strong message asking visitors to plan and book in advance.  The status website will be up by Thursday and will include details of campsite provision, as well as attractions, activities, F&B businesses etc.   Mark has been made aware of a letter from Nethy Bridge community council to self-catering visitors.  He will discuss with businesses about the possibility of incorporating messages from the communications framework.  Grant will send the final #CairngormsTogether document, along with the welcome back video, to all community council chairs as a follow-up to their meeting.   CNPA have commissioned Kirk Watson to deliver a responsible access video.  There were concerns that the video would be too late with the revised re-opening timescale.  It should be delivered ASAP, and quick ranger videos should also be ready by Friday.

5.RECOVER

CNPA Green Recovery Plan

CNPA are looking for recovery fund projects.  There is also additional funding for the NMU route at Glenmore.

6.Any Other Updates

Grant to set-up a meeting for Mark and Grant with Mairi Gougeon for sometime in August.   Murray gave details of a proposed Internet of Things project in Cairngorms & Glenmore about tracking digital data.  Discussions are taking place with partners now, but the project would be fully funded and could happen fairly quickly.   Cairngorms Mountain are planning to open the café, shop and toilets in day lodge from July 15^th, but will not initially offer tubing. The Highland Wildlife Park opens today for local visitors.

7.Date of next meeting

Next Monday 6^th July at 11am.

Call-ins 

29th June, 2020

Planning Committee 

26th June, 2020

Location: Via Video-Conference - See Notice of Meeting for Link