VIEW FROM THE CHAMBER

Lochaber Chamber recently co-hosted a Tourism Supply Chain workshop event with Highlands and Islands Enterprise at the Highland Cinema cafe recently.

The event was part of the green and place-based recovery for the sector from the impact of Covid. With a focus on closer working and sharing of ideas, and how back-office functions could be shared or bring efficiencies to the sector, local businesses came together for a thought-provoking session.

At a time when operating costs are increasing and customer spend is becoming more focused, our region has a great opportunity to tell its rich, varied story and share Lochaber’s provenance to our visitors. An opportunity none more so than in the Year of Stories 2022.

Telling the local story is so important to encouraging a local supply chain, and the value this can bring to the community and local businesses, but there are also constraints – and often companies aren’t aware of what is available on their doorstep, or are unsure of the added value compared to the potential cost and time to their business or offering. Your local Chamber of Commerce wants to change this and add value.

As the wider Lochaber tourism industry continues its recovery journey the Scottish Tourism Alliance and Scottish Chambers of Commerce are seeking industry views – where you are on your path to recovery, challenges of staffing and recruitment, competitiveness, plus current and future bookings forecast.

You can access these surveys by heading to www.lochaberchamber.co.uk/news.

Surveys can be an additional burden on business operators but we urge you to complete these, feeding into the regional and national picture, to assist continued recovery and support packages.

If you would like to discuss any of these points please reach out to us by calling 01397 705765 or emailing membership@lochaberchamber.co.uk.