Cairngorms Tourism Partnership

21st June, 2021

Via video-conference - Cairngorms Tourism Emergency Response Group

Cairngorms Tourism Emergency Response Group
21 June 2021, 11am.

1.Welcome and introductions

Present: Janet (chair), Geva, Colin, Chris F, Rhona, Alistair, Heather, Murray, Pete

Apologies: Mark, Laurie, Grant, Chris T

 

2.RESPOND

Business Support update

With the exception of the recent new Taxi Operators Fund, local authorities are largely just tying up loose ends on business grants.  Aberdeenshire Council have funds remaining from their Discretionary Fund and are seeking greater flexibility from Scottish Government to spend it on a wider challenge fund.  Janet flagged up that Perth & Kinross Council had set up a micro-fund with grants of £1k which was undersubscribed.

 

Rhona gave a full update on HIE’s recent work, including:

• Work with SE, SoSE and VS on the Tourism Transition to Net Zero, with £4million allocated to the project.  Work in the HIE area will focus on existing projects already in the pipeline, including EV charging points, bike infrastructure, mountain resorts and community led tourism initiatives.
• Urgent and longer-term work to address workforce challenges in light of recruitment difficulties post lockdown, and in light of Brexit.  Work is taking place at both a Scotland and UK level, with immigration policy key to the issue in the medium-longer term.

 

Key issues from DMOs

VisitAberdeenshire has a bespoke sustainable tourism programme running at the moment.  They have also been in discussions with Cairngorms Business Partnership about the VS destination marketing fund, to ensure that work is complementary and joined up.

 

4.RESTART

Hospitality recruitment issues

This issue will be discussed in more detail at the Economic Steering group meeting next week.  CBP are gathering data on the impacts of staffing issues, but some larges businesses have dozens of vacancies, and staff availability is affecting opening hours and capacity for many businesses.  Availability of staff accommodation is a big issue.  The Highland Economic Recovery Programme is pulling together a working group to address housing and accommodation issues.

 

Janet flagged up that this is a visitor experience issue, and we need to manage visitor expectations.  Visitor communications to stress the importance of planning and booking ahead for restaurants and attractions.

 

Managing for visitors update

There is some evidence of tension on the ground between visitors and communities, and another round of community tourism meetings is planned, with provisional dates in the 3^rd week of July.

 

There was a discussion about distribution of, and communication with, rangers.  With increased staffing from partners at key sites, some CNPA rangers will be moved from key hotspots to quieter communities where even a modest increase in visitors will be noticeable.  Pete to put Al Smith in touch with directly-elected CNPA board members as a community link.

 

Mountaineering Scotland are putting out a strong ‘no fires’ message, and the Ramblers Association have developed a responsible camping video.  The CBP campervan webpage is now live, and the printed leaflet is being distributed by CNPA and partner rangers.

 

Geva asked all partners to promote the free Ballater to Braemar bus service, which will continue to run on Sundays, and has been extended until mid-August.

 

Visitor Infrastructure:

CNPA supported a variety of work delivered in 2020/21, including at Rothiemurchus, Linn of Dee, Loch Garten and Glenmore.  Some additional work at Glenmore to improve roadside parking has now been delayed and will take place after the summer.  The availability of contractors to deliver this sort of infrastructure work is a challenge.

 

Janet queried why road infrastructure is such a challenge at the moment, when there hasn’t been an increase in overall visitor numbers.  Others advised that car parking is more of an issue as visitors are more likely to travel by car than public transport at the moment, and are less likely to lift share.  Also capacity limits at attractions, and motivation to spend time in retail and other indoor facilities is reduced meaning that visitors are more likely to be at countryside sites.

 

CNPA and partners are taking a more strategic approach to infrastructure, and are also employing an Infrastructure Projects Officer.  Highland Council are also developing an infrastructure plan.  Murray and Colin to discuss and co-ordinate plans.

 

Pete advised that in terms of long distance routes, there will be an official Speyside Way Extension opening at the Newtonmore sculpture in late summer. Sustrans are holding a meeting this week to discuss improvements and extension of the Deeside Way.

 

5.RECOVER

CNPA Green Recovery Fund has allocated the full available £300k in the first round of applications.  A full list of projects is available at  https://cairngorms.co.uk/303000-of-green-recovery-funding-support-awarded-to-28-local-projects/

 

Murray gave an update on the Climate Change and Tourism Partner Panel last week.  As a follow-up, he is looking to better link VisitScotland with our work on the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas.  CNPA are also considering signing up to the Tourism Declares initiative if the Heritage Horizons project receives the NHLF funding.

6.Any Other Updates

Janet and Geva have both met with the new owners of the Spittal of Glenshee hotel site, who want to work closely with CNPA and local communities as they redevelop it.  Work to clear the site is unlikely to start before October.

7.Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be on Monday 19^th July, but a written update will be circulated in the interim.  Going forward, meetings are likely to be monthly unless needed in the interim to address any specific issues.