Meetings
Our Board and Planning Committee meetings are normally conducted in public.
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Cairngorms Tourism Partnership
11th January, 2021
Location: Cairngorms Tourism Emergency Response Group - Via video-conference
Cairngorms Tourism Emergency Response Group 11th January 2021, 11am.
1.Welcome and introductions
Present: Janet Hunter (Chair), Geva Blackett (CNPA Board), Grant Moir (CNPA), Chris Taylor (VS), Chris Foy (VA), Mark Tate (CBP), Rhona Fraser (HIE), Laurie Piper (MS), Murray Ferguson (CNPA), Pete Crane (CNPA) Apologies: Colin Simpson (HC), Heather Trench (CNPA), Alistair Reid (AC) 2.RESPONDBusiness Support update
Following update from Highland Council ‘All businesses who had applied for restrictions grants before Christmas were paid before Christmas so all applications were up to date at that point. We then suspended applications over the Christmas holiday – largely this was because the Scottish Government had announced numerous schemes but not launched them so we were concerned that if the form was left live people would fill in any form they could find and we’d end up delaying processing of closure applications as we’d have to respond to all the incorrect ones. Evidence from other local authorities is that this did happen! We then re-launched the scheme on Thursday 7th and received about 1000 applications in the first 24 hours. As our team now has the capacity to process 400 – 500 applications per day over the next fortnight we’re confident they will all be paid w/c 25 January as is intended (payments on this scheme are done retrospectively at the end of each 4 week period and this one ends on Tuesday 26th January). Those who had applied in Nov / Dec will have payment made to them automatically without the need to reapply and have been notified of this. We anticipate up to 8000 applications in total but probably significantly less. This will depend a lot on self-catering applications as we have around 4800 registered as such in the rates system but this includes second homes not let out commercially and so many will be ineligible to apply for a grant as they won’t be trading as a business.’ Highlands & Islands Enterprise currently developing a community programme recovery fund and organising a wide range of webinar training and information opportunities (list at end of this note)Key issues from DMOs
The second ‘lock down’ is proving exceptionally challenging for many businesses with many in the tourism sector having little or no business since October and with some businesses still appearing to fall between gaps in funding, further challenged by the complexity over agreeing ‘business’ criteria and finance/banking requirements needed to meet public sector financial support criteria. Small businesses appear to be finding the situation particularly challenging. Four weekly Strategic Framework Business Fund now operating ‘Temporary closure grant - £2,000 or £3,000 (depending on rateable value) if your business is required to close by law Business restrictions grant - £1,400 or £2,100 (depending on rateable value) if your business can remain open but is specifically required to modify its operations by law, for example having to close earlier than normal.This does not include where a demand for your products or services has been reduced because of the pandemic Grants paid every 4 weeks in arrears as long as restrictions last.’ Tourism Hospitality Fund of £104m has been advertised but yet to be launched by Visit Scotland (see below) – it is likely to comprise 15 sections inc specific areas of work such as ‘Outdoors £2.5m ‘ Area Specific Cairngorms Business Partnership The anticipated winter marketing is largely on hold with work now looking at a ‘Spring’ focus Aberdeen C&S is planning spring promotion of Aberdeen City and Shire, inc Cairngorms, with potential launch mid-February depending on Covid-19 guidance An Insights Seminar on Business Product is arranged for 12 January, and Adventure Tourism later in January and a Business Restructure Programme training is underway with potential for current businesses to become mentors to share the work later this year. A monthly 2021 photo competition has been agreed with the Evening Express with the January theme being local: ‘Your Back Yard’ Morayshire There appears to be a gap in the training and support around ‘Thoughtful Leadership and Inspiration’ with indications that many small businesses appear uncertain on how to determine the best way forward with further indications that this is leading to noticeable stress? This uncertainty also appears enhanced for many by potential impacts of BrexitVisitScotland Overview
Priority is to agree criteria and eligibility for Tourism Hospitality Fund and then manage and deliver the funding Coast and Waters campaign paused. Marketing is currently on hold with messaging focussed on ‘dream now travel later’. ITB is 9th -12th March with opportunities to promote Scotland ITB Berlin 09 – 12 March 2021 (atta.travel) Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund 3 successful applications announced today with £80k and four projects in Highlands, and Glenshee toilets in Aberdeenshire securing funding VS Webinars continuing in 2021 VisitScotland and Digital Boost webinars - News | VisitScotland.org3.RESET
Consistent lockdown messaging CNPA web information regularly updated on car parks, toilets etc. Public sector outdoor sites currently ‘open’. Legislation allows travel ‘for recreation’ within LA area and 5 miles out with, but messaging focus is on #StayLocal. Collective messaging should continue to focus on #CairngormsTogether with current steer on #StaySafe #StayLocal/Home Nature Scotland is coordinating, with partners, consistent ‘outdoors’ messaging for 2021 but with Easter only 12 weeks away there is much work to be done.4.RESTART
Visitor management planning for Easter 2021 CNPA is appointing 8 seasonal rangers to be in post for Easter 2021 and has secured Kickstart funding with UK National Parks for 6 CNPA posts (5 six month ranger posts). CNPA has also requested additional funding from ScotGov for permanent ranger service to support seasonal posts and partner services – awaiting 28th Jan budget decision. CNPA is also agreeing a range of visitor improvement projects for delivery by partners by March 2021 including car park, toilet and road improvements – details to follow once agreed. Residents are again raising concerns about visitor numbers at key sites (eg Glenshee and Glenmore) and associated behaviour (eg littering) Action 1 CBP and CNPA to agree next set of virtual community meeting to update residents on spring 2021 work and communication. - National Education & Marketing group meeting 17/12 Action 2 Update from CBP at next meeting5.RECOVER
6.ANY OTHER UPDATES
Cairngorm Mountain closed on 24 Dec with core maintenance staff in post and majority of staff ‘Furloughed’. Work on funicular reinstatement ongoing where possible. Snow gates closed at Glenmore with support from Police Scot and HC, and many residents. Season ticket holders to be refunded. Latest draft of CM master plan being finalised and will be presented to CNPA Board in February. Glenmore roadside path from Beach Car Park to Glenmore Lodge junction completed December (RTIF) . Crossing points January ( depending on weather) along with upgrades to Beach Car Park.7.DATE OF NEXT MEETING
25th January 2021 @ 11.00 – 12.00 FortnightlyCall-ins
11th January, 2021
Call-ins
23rd December, 2020
Call-ins
14th December, 2020
Cairngorms Tourism Partnership
14th December, 2020
Location: Cairngorms Tourism Emergency Response Group - Via video-conference
Cairngorms Tourism Emergency Response Group Meeting Note 14th December 2020 Present: Heather, Murray, Pete, Janet, Geva, Chris F, Chris T, Laurie. Apologies: Grant, Colin, Rhona, Mark, Alistair. 1.Welcome and introductions 2.RESPOND - Business Support update Additional funding schemes were announced last week (as detailed in attached CBP update) but there is not yet a lot of detailed information on the new funding schemes and it seems unlikely that they will be up and running before January. Within the Moray area, Laurie flagged up that 2/3rds of businesses eligible for existing grants have not yet applied and there is a lack of faith in the new schemes reaching the businesses that need them. In all areas, there is a sense of frustration that the schemes are not better developed when they are announced. - Key issues from DMOs VisitAberdeenshire have completed analysis of survey for local people on staycation experiences this year and plans for holidays next year. The top priority emerging is getting out for countryside walks. They are also working on a local towns’ campaign with Aberdeenshire Council early next year and scenario planning for future promotion. Murray updated on the STA Destination Forum meeting with Fergus Ewing last week, which Mark, Laurie and Chris F also attended.. The mood was generally low. While rural areas destinations generally have lower restrictions, few customers are able to travel. Looking forward, by the end of April only around 400,000 people are likely to be vaccinated, mostly frontline health staff and care home residents. This is unlikely to give a major boost to tourism numbers. VisitScotland Overview The marketing team continue to push the #ScotlandLovesLocal messaging. Businesses that are trading can upload offers etc. to the website and this will continue into the new year. The event recovery fund is still live and getting a good level of enquiries. The Scotland Reconnects trade event had great feedback and the site will remain open for an additional few weeks until 22nd Dec. The STERG business survey had over 3k responses. The cruise research (2019) now has reported and is available. There will be more work on it early in the new year to consider how the industry will recover. There are lots of film & TV enquiries at the moment as international travel is difficult. VS are working up some training opportunities for taking advantage of that market. Brexit Issues Issues arising from Brexit will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cairngorms economic steering group on 11th January, which will be attended by Highland Council’s Brexit officer. Janet offered to circulate a useful summary of the issues from Perth & Kinross Council (checklist and details of events attached). It was agreed that it would also be added to the next CTERG agenda. Geva advised that Martin Bremner was the relevant contact at Aberdeenshire Council, and requested a CNPA board update on Brexit, possibly at the informal board discussion on the 9th February. 3.RESET. No issues discussed. 4.RESTART CNPA / CBP community open meetings Meetings with community councils and land managers respectively were held last week to talk about visitor management issues and introduce the Heritage Horizons project. A similar business meeting is being held with CBP tomorrow. Geva requested the note of the previous meetings in advance of local community council meetings this week. NatureScot Visitor Management Grant Fund. This fund has just been launched by NatureScot. https://www.nature.scot/new-green-recovery-fund-help-manage-visitors-nature-hotspots While project eligibility is fairly wide, the timescale is tight with projects to be delivered this financial year. Similarly, Pete advised that £200k underspend on the RTIF path at Glenmore could be re-allocated to other visitor management projects in this financial year. A range of projects at key sites around the national park have been identified that don’t need planning permission and could happen this financial year. Marketing or communications updates. CNPA messaging continues to focus messaging on stay safe, stay local, support local businesses. There is some concern from Police Scotland about potential bonfire parties in countryside areas at Hogmanay, and they are staffing accordingly. Chris F asked about preferred wording of mountain safety messaging. Pete advised that the best approach was to share content and messages from Mountaineering Scotland. The Tomintoul and Glenlivet marketing plans have been developed by 42 Studios and are being finalised at the moment. There was a discussion about the safe re-opening of ski centres, at a time when there could be far more demand than usual from those unable to travel abroad. Most ski centres are moving to an online booking system in advance with limited tickets, though there may still be people turning up on the day as well, and with no coaches or car sharing, parking may be an issue. VisitScotland are in touch with the centres and manage the Ski Scotland pages, and Chris agreed to keep the group up to date on planned messaging. It was agreed that ‘Plan B’ messaging similar to the summer could be useful at trying to keep people within the area and spending money even if they could couldn’t ski. It was also recognised that with most visitors generally coming from the central belt, actual numbers may be limited by the tier system. 5.RECOVER Murray gave an update on a number of related technology projects - Traveltech directory been launched to connect tourism businesses with providers of technology https://www.visitscotland.org/news/2020/traveltech-for-scotland-directory - Interface looks to foster links between businesses and academics https://interface-online.org.uk/. Murray had a meeting with Lesley Judge who leads on the tourism element of the project and agreed that someone would be invited to the next CTP meeting. - Cairngorms IoT Project has funding to deliver a network of path and traffic sensors to give real time information on where people are going. This will help guide ranger deployment and visitor management planning. All of these technology projects rely on good connectivity and it has just been announced that the £385 million R100 project has now been formally agreed with BT. More details on the areas that will benefit will be available in Spring. https://www.gov.scot/news/superfast-broadband-for-homes-and-businesses-in-the-north/ Janet also gave a short update on the Smart Village project, a ScotGov digital initiative for communities of place and interest to better use technology to connect.
- AOB
- Agree 2021 visitor management messaging ASAP.
- Agree the role of the CTERG and links with CTP and visitor management group.
- Support for DMOs, particularly through the HIE scheme.
- Date of next meeting.