The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Tay Cities Deal plan to boost tourism numbers
Demonstration of regional collaboration reflects ‘spirit of ambitions’
More than £37 million of Tay Cities Deal cash is to be spent as part of a plan to promote tourism across the region.
Tay Cities Region Joint Committee endorsed the plan when it met this week.
Members were told day visitors spend around £603 million in Perth and Kinross, Angus, Dundee and north-east Fife each year, with overnight visitors contributing a further £433m.
One of the key aims of the Tay Cities Region Tourism strategy is to grow the overnight visitor spend by 3% every year, to £550m in 2024.
Joint committee chairman Murray Lyle said: “This is the first time there has been a tourism strategy for the Tay Cities area, to support the existing local strategies.
“It demonstrates our regional collaboration in respect of economic development and reflects the spirit of the ambitions outlined in the Tay Cities Deal.
“A broad range of voices from across the tourism industry in the Tay Cities Region have helped shape the ambitions and priorities in this strategy.
“Collaboration and shared decisionmaking will define how we implement this strategy, too.”
The tourism sector supports around 28,000 jobs across Tayside and northeast Fife including in the creative industries, food and drink and outdoors adventures.
Over the next decade an additional £37m will be invested in the tourism sector as part of the Tay Cities Deal, subject to the approval of a business case.
Councillor Lyall said: “We are taking a fresh, ambitious approach to developing the Tay Cities Region as an outstanding destination that encourages visitors to stay longer, explore and return on a regular basis.”
A leadership group, comprising senior industry stakeholders, will be established to oversee delivery of the strategy.
Scottish Enterprise tourism team leader Paul McCafferty said: “The region has outstanding natural and built
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We are taking a fresh, ambitious approach... MURRAY LYLE
assets which the strategy will support to provide exciting and inspirational experiences for our visitors from the UK and globally.
“This focus on regional working and partnership with businesses and local communities signals a new and deeper understanding of the benefits that can be gained from tourism.”
The joint committee was also given an update on the progress of 25 other projects included in the Tay Cities Deal.
Outline business cases for the projects have now been submitted and shared with the UK and Scottish governments.
In total, the 25 projects and programmes submitted require investment of £700m, of which £300m over 10-15 years is being put in by the Scottish and UK governments and their agencies, subject to final approval of their business cases.
If every project and programme in the submission is funded and delivered, up to 6,000 job opportunities could be created across a range of sectors.