Meeting

Cairngorms Tourism Partnership

19th October, 2020

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.