North Coast 500 plans for the ‘road to recovery’ as tourists gear up to return
Tourism leaders, businesses and police are working on a plan to manage the influx of tourists expected on the North Coast 500 route next year.
NC500, the business group that promotes the driving route through the north and west Highlands, said it was planning for the expected reemergence of tourism from early 2021.
Research has found that three - quarters of those who had cancelled plans to drive par t of the Nor th Coast 500 this year hoped to join the route in 2021, with a new trend in “home-grown” tourists identified.
A spokesman said pr ac tical measures were needed to balance public safety and economic recover y in the North Highlands, including further investment in infrastructure. It is understood that more stops for motorhomes may be built on the route, which spans Inverness-shire, the Black Isle, Easter Ross, Caithness and Sutherland and Wester Ross.
Craig Mills, head of operations at North Coast 500 Ltd, said :“It’ s vitally important that we continue to work with our business partners and key stakeholders across the North Highlands to help deliver a balance between public safety and economic recovery in the region in the short and longer term.
“As part of this process, we’re continuing to follow the advice and guidance issued by the Scottish Government during the pandemic. We will only encourage people to travel from different parts of Scotland when it is safe to do so.
“Our recent NC500 visitor survey shows that a significant number of visitors are already rescheduling their plans to visit the NC500 into 2021 and beyond. This really is a positive sign for the re-emergence of the tourism industry.”
The NC500 marks its fifth anniversary this year, with research showing that it boosted the north Highland economy by £22.89 million in 2018 and created around 179 fulltime jobs.
Research is now under er ship director, said: “It is imperative that we get the balance right between keeping people – both visitors and members of local communities – safe, but also supp or ting the scores of amazi n g t o u r i s m b u s i n e s s e s .”