Meeting

Cairngorms Tourism Partnership

11th January, 2021

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.RESPOND

Business 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 Brexit

VisitScotland 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 9^th -12^th 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.org

3.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 28^th 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 meeting

5.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

Fortnightly