Tourism in tatters

As the saying goes,” you couldn’t make it up. “

Not three weeks ago, the portfolio holder for economic development, Councillor Brian McGinley, was reported in the Post as, and I quote: “We are tackling some long standing legacy issues around making the most of our tourist offering in South Ayrshire. “

He continued: “The new approach will be closer linked to economic development activities as well as building on our national assets, great traditions and history.”

Yet only last week the Council of which he is famously the deputy leader and the person responsible for economic development helped scupper the Airshow which drew in thousands of visitors and substantial incoming revenue. So much for our respected tradition in aerospace.

Only recently we have seen a start to the reparation of Burns Cottage with no other attendant attempt to focus on Burns as a world beating tourist attraction. So much for our great history. So it goes on, be it our coastline, our countryside. Let’s ask Mr McGinley some questions regarding the strength of his new found aspiration regarding tourism. Firstly, is it the case that some of the tourist experience we had in the council was deployed elsewhere? Secondly, what efforts did he make to maintain the excellent and successful Ayrshire Tourist Alliance across Ayrshire Councils and sadly disbanded a few years ago. Thirdly, will he at Thursday’s Budget meeting to define the Tourist plan and supported by the investment in finance, people and organisation to meet his statement and goals. There is one positive thing Mr McGinley might consider regarding improving tourism and economic development in Ayrshire but I am sure it is not on his agenda.

Chic Brodie, Maybole Road, Ayr