Changes ahead for town tourism service
‘No compulsory redundances’pledge
Tourism staff at Crieff Town Hall are to face significant change as part of a shakeup of services.
VisitScotland, the Crieff Succeeds Business Improvement District (BID) team and Perth and Kinross Council have struck a deal which will see staff there become tourism “ambassadors”.
The tourism agency says there are to be no compulsory redundancies as a result of the move. The partnership also means that the much-discussed long-term future of the building has been secured, with moves in the pipeline to refurbish it in April.
On reopening, the new set-up is expected to swing into place, with the VisitScotland Information Partnership starting then.
All three groups have hailed the changes which have been described as providing an “element” of a tourist service to Strathearn’s many visitors.
Neil Combe, Crieff Succeeds BID manager, said: “We are delighted to be part of the VIP Programme and look forward to welcoming visitors to our beautiful town.
“This exciting partnership between ourselves, VisitScotland and Perth and Kinross Council will secure the long term future of our historic Town Hall and allows us to continue to offer an element of local visitor information.”
Jim Clarkson, VisitScotland Regional Director, said: “Crieff is a bustling town set amidst the stunning Perthshire scenery. It is home to some of the area’s most popular attractions and as such regularly attracts visitors. It is great news that Crieff BID is now part of the VIP programme.”
And Jim Valentine, depute chief executive of Perth and Kinross Council, said: “Crieff BID joining the VIP programme demonstrates their commitment to continuing to welcome tourists to the town, and grow what the area has to offer to visitors.”
The VIP programme is open to all VisitScotland Quality Assured businesses, as well as community groups, local authority-operated library services and social Crieff Town Hall enterprises.
The moves are part of wider changes being carried out through the tourism agency. These include interactivity on the VisitScotland website and marketing through ‘Coo’ campervans, which will be touring Scotland. Nationally, VisitScotland is rebranding its visitor information centres.