Tourism facing its toughest challenge
Scottish tourism is facing up to its biggest challenge ever with coronavirus impacting the entire industry.
The recovery of Scotland’s crucial £11 billion industry requires a multi-agency approach, working with the tourism industry to help those affected today, tomorrow and in the future.
The Scottish Tourism Emergency Response Group (STERG) consists of COSLA, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, the Scottish Tourism Alliance, and VisitScotland. The group has been working hard to help tourism businesses to recover from this unprecedented situation, creating a single, joined-up, phased plan to not just combat the current issues but also look at how the industry could effectively recover once the lockdown is eased.
STERG’s immediate priorities are to support businesses by providing information and reassurance; safeguarding employment; and helping tourism businesses access financial assistance to maintain cashflow and secure a viable future. The four key areas within the plan are:
Respond: focused on delivering a package of measures to support businesses, most in need communities, stay home and social distancing guidance.
Reset: sectoral guidance to encourage workplace plans for the re-start. It will be essential for businesses to operate in a way that is compliant with social distancing and enable them to be more resilient to re-start safely within the new economic environment.
Re-start: kick-starting the economy safely is essential. We’ll need to consider the impact of supply chains and measures that need to be in place to enable businesses to come back on-stream in a safe and orderly way.
Recovery: economic recovery is likely to take longer than originally anticipated. What emerges is likely to be a different economy characterised by new business models, markets and behaviours.
The year-long plan takes a phased approach and STERG is currently collaborating to deliver the first two phases which are around ‘respond’ and ‘reset’. This plan will continue to evolve in line with the scientific evidence and government advice on the reopening of the tourism industry.
Lochaber Chamber of Commerce continues to work closely with VisitScotland, the Scottish Tourism Alliance and government to support our tourism sector through this crisis; and never has it been more important to work together and prepare for the ‘new normal’ post lockdown.
Frazer Coupland, CEO of Lochaber Chamber of Commerce says: ‘As the Outdoor Capital of the UK, tourism is massively important to Lochaber – not just to our economy, but it is also part of our community and shapes our identity. It is what brought many people to live in this area. Economic forecasting is grim, indicating destinations like ours, which are reliant on tourism, must be ready for tough times ahead. We all know that there is no quick fix to this situation – there will be no return to “business as usual” and tourism businesses will need to be able to adapt to survive.’
Frazer added: ‘We don’t yet know when and how tourism businesses can begin to operate again, and how the social distancing measures likely to be required will transform the ways tourism and hospitality businesses have to operate.
‘At the moment, the focus is on ensuring our tourism industry survives and is able to reset and adapt to the new reality post-lockdown.
‘Our international market will likely be some time in returning and may never be what it was, so we know that we need to do all we can to make the Outdoor Capital of the UK a domestic destination for everyone.’