Anger increases over plan to close Tarbert tourist centre
TARBERT residents have taken to social media to voice their anger over the planned closure of the local tourist information centre.
The comments come as VisitScotland confirmed a 99 per cent slash in funding from the Scottish Government.
Kenny MacNab, who runs his own business based on tourists coming into the area, said: ‘I started a new business doing rigid inflatable boat tours in Tarbert this year and got quite a lot of business from this centre. They would be as well to call themselves Don’t Visit Scotland’.’
A local worker at the Inveraray office agreed, saying a computer system can’t replace a friendly face. They said: ‘Having worked at the Inveraray tourist office for a few years, I can categorically say no IT-based system can replace local knowledge.
‘I was asked many, many times for suggestions of what to see and do off the tourist trail.
‘The quality of holidays will be sadly affected without this local knowledge.
‘It’s a huge mistake to close so many offices. Argyll and Kintyre will suffer as a result.’
In a letter on page six of this week’s Argyllshire Advertiser, local businessman Ian MacIntyre said: ‘As a local business, we supported the initial Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay Tourist Board when it was set up.
‘Over the years since then, we believe the tourist office and its welcoming staff have contributed to an increase in tourism in this area.
‘Tarbert is the focal point for tourists en route via ferries to or from Islay, Jura, Cowal and Arran, as well as onward into Kintyre. Tarbert is a destination in its own right, with its ancient castle with Robert the Bruce connections and its safe and attractive harbour.
‘While still a base for an active fishing fleet, Tarbert Harbour now boasts one of the larger marinas on the Scottish West Coast.’
VisitScotland confirmed this week that its funding from the Scottish Government had been cut by around 99 per cent in 13 years, from £5 million to £50,000.
However, the tourist organisation did not link this loss in funding to the planned closures across the country, stating it was due to the change in how visitors now access tourist information.
A spokesperson for VisitScotland said: ‘In 2005, VisitScotland received £5 million from local authorities to operate the network. In 2018/19, the estimated value is £50,000 – equating to a 99 per cent decrease in 13 years.
‘However, our new information strategy was not financially driven and was based on the diverse transformation in the way visitors access information on what to see and do while in the country.
‘We need to switch our focus and investment into new and diverse initiatives to ensure we are reaching as many people as possible with the information they want, in the way they want it, when they want it.’
MSP for Argyll and Bute Michael Russell said: ‘I have discussed the changes with the chief executive officer of Visit Scotland.
‘I understand the change in their business, with the bulk of inquiries and bookings now coming online, is a major factor. Before any final changes are made there needs to be both full access to online services in the area (and that means continuing substantial mobile phone upgrades) and new partnership arrangements.’