The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Ideal opportunity for tourism boost in Fife
Hopes have been expressed that Fife will share in the buzz created by the opening of V&A Dundee.
Tourism is expected to be boosted south, as well as north, of the Tay as visitors flock to Dundee to see the already-iconic museum.
It is also anticipated that the rise in confidence inspired by the city’s wider waterfront regeneration will spill over into the kingdom, to the benefit of the area’s economy.
Fife Council’s economy and tourism spokesman Altany Craik, said: “The V&A opening is going to change the whole dynamic of tourism for Dundee, it is going to be huge, and the key thing for us is making sure we can support that and get some coming this way.
“The waterfront development is about ambition and it is redefining Dundee, and we need to ensure that Fife supports this, as opposed to looking enviously across the Tay.”
Work is already under way to encourage tourists to make Fife their base as they come to see the museum or to cross the Tay and add some of the kingdom’s attractions to their holiday experience.
Sandra Montador-Stewart, a Fife Council service manager, said: “The new V&A in Dundee provides an exciting opportunity for Fife to capitalise on visitors to the new facility.
“We will use design and culture as significant themes in marketing Fife to emphasise our strong cultural links and increase onward trips in to Fife.”
North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins said: “I have already spoken to a number of business people in north-east Fife who are really excited about the opening of the V&A and how they can engage and show off what this area has to offer.
“The building was designed to re-connect with the Tay and I hope this will mean visitors will also be encouraged to discover the wealth of attractions on the other side of the river as well.”