Meeting

Cairngorms Tourism Partnership

6th July, 2020

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.