Helping hand to boost food and drink tourism
A new plan to boost food and drink tourism in Scotland will aim to serve up an extra £1 billion to the economy by 2030.
Visitors to Scotland already spend around £1 billion a year on food and drink but an action plan launched by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on a visit to Arran earlier this week hopes to unlock growth potential for an additional £1 billion to be spent on local produce.
On Monday the first minister and Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing met Alastair Dobson of Taste of Arran at the island’s Auchrannie Resort.
Measures in the new plan include creating a food tourism plan, bringing suppliers and regional buyers together at more Showcasing Scotland events and promoting local produce through a Taste Our Best quality assurance accreditation scheme.
Ms Sturgeon said: ‘Scotland is already renowned as the land of food and drink, with our quality produce known throughout the world. With around £1 billion being spent on food and drink by visitors each year, the economic benefits are clear.
‘This action plan will bring together everyone in the food and tourism sectors to build on that sucChief cess story.’
The first minister had seen in Arran how quality local produce can attract visitors and enhance the experience of Scotland.
‘Now is the time for everyone to work together to make sure that we can make the most of everything this growing sector,’ she added.
executive of Scotland Food and Drink James Withers said: ‘We know that a good local food and drink experience is what visitors want.
‘It drives spend in our tourism businesses and it supports local producers.
‘Above all, though, it builds Scotland’s food and drink and tourism reputation on the world stage.’
Mr Withers said the hard work to make Scotland a global food tourism destination ‘begins now’.
And he added: ‘There is a huge economic and reputational prize awaiting us if we get this right.’
Marc Crothall who is the chief executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance is confident about the Food Tourism Action Plan.
‘We are totally committed to encouraging and supporting all food and drink-related business, that are by the very nature of what they do ‘Tourism Business’, to get behind this shared ambition to embrace the plan so that those who choose to visit, drink and dine out in our hotels, pubs, cafes, bars, restaurants or at any event can enjoy an even greater choice of local good quality, authentic food and drink experiences in destinations throughout Scotland delivered by skilled and passionate people,’ he said.