The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Dundee is looking to be go-to destination for domestic tourism
Hopes to use staycations to make up for loss in visitors from abroad
Officials hope the landscape of postpandemic tourism could favour Dundee as visitors seek relaxed city breaks.
Council leader John Alexander believes the city’s momentum has not been lost, and businesses can capitalise on an expected surge in UK visitors.
It comes as a tourism recovery plan is launched, aiming to see the city bounce back from the Covid-19 shutdown.
He said: “For many bigger cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow and certainly London people are put off by the fact there is a huge number of tourists.
“We are very conscious that people coming to Dundee will want some reassurance, so a big part of that will be about making clear what we are doing to protect visitors.
“The space available within Dundee – even though we are quite a condensed city – and the availability of sites nearby is a big draw. For example, you can jump on a bus or taxi from the centre and in a few minutes you can jump on a boat tour to see dolphins,” he said.
“I believe tourists – whether they are domestic or international – will be looking for an element of rurality or space close to the environment.”
In recent years Dundee has been named among some of the world’s most exciting places to visit, regularly featuring in world-renowned magazines and websites.
The new-found attention was mostly sparked by the opening of the £80.1 million V&A design museum.
Mr Alexander stressed the marketing of the city will be “very important” and said officials have their sights set on establishing Dundee as a staycation hotspot.
He added: “I don’t believe the momentum is gone. Hopefully we can use the staycation market to make up for a loss in international visitors, and that will help local businesses.”
Dundee Heritage Trust chief executive Deirdre Robertson has been appointed chairwoman of the Tourism Leadership Group.
She said: “There are very few cities with such richness on its doorstep, where visitors can base themselves and so easily reach an incredible variety of things to do – stunning castles and stately homes, historic abbeys, spectacular waterfalls, watersports, mountains, beautiful beaches, gorgeous river walks and picturesque, authentic unspoilt villages – all within easy travelling distance of our fabulous wee city.”