Tourist information to close

Visit Scotland’s remaining information centres are to close as Renfrewshire is primed for a cultural and tourism revolution.

Chiefs at the nationwide tourism organisation confirmed yesterday that its information centres will operate as normal until September when a two-year phased closure will begin. In its place will be a greater online offering of information and expertise.

Explaining that more people are booking visitor experiences before they arrive at their destination, Visit Scotland says it will now seek to guide people to Renfrewshire attractions via online marketing.

Lord Thurso, chair of VisitScotland , said :“The tourism landscape has changed significantly in recent years.

“The demand for iCentres has reduced while the demand for online information and booking has continued to grow.

“In order to continue building demand and growing the value of tourism and events, it is vitally important that we target channels we know visitors use to influence them to visit Scotland.

“Our research shows that as an organisation, we have a greater and more impactful role to play in providing information before visitors travel. Prioritising a digital-first model of information provision allows us to reach potential visitors at those early planning stages when we can shape their future travel decisions.”

The news comes as Renfrewshire Council is preparing to open Paisley

Museum next year and attract 125,000 visitors to the town.

VisitScotland said online travel websites, social media, influencers and AI tools are all impacted how people find and book holidays.

A growing number of international visitors to Scotland, 64 per cent, are now booking as part of a package, placing a greater significance on the role tour operators can play in boosting the tourism economy.

Lord Thurso (pictured left) added: “Together with businesses and our partners, we want to build on success and ensure that across all areas of our work – marketing, destination development, business advice, insights and events - we prioritise the activities that will deliver for our industry and for Scotland.

“By evolving our work in this way, we will be able to invest in the activities that will accelerate sustainable growth in the visitor economy, helping create jobs, sustain communities and attract investment for the future.”