Tourism group gets funding for full-time post
SKYECONNECT, the new destination management organisation (DMO) for Skye and Raasay, has been given funding by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to employ a full-time project officer.
Formed earlier this year, the organisation brings together the business and tourism industry on the islands, working with organisations and people including Highland Council, councillors, VisitScotland, the Scottish Government, Business Gateway and HIE together with community bodies and residents.
SkyeConnect has also welcomed the support of Kate Forbes MSP who has been a driving force in highlighting the challenges and opportunities for tourism on Skye and Raasay - the second most popular visitor destination in Scotland after Edinburgh.
SkyeConnect has been collaborating with other DMOs across the Highlands and islands which included presentations at the first of a series of tourism forums in June.
In the next few weeks an extensive recruitment process will start to seek a high-calibre candidate to join SkyeConnect and its interim board to map the way forward to establish the company as an effective tourism and business hub representing the communities of Skye and Raasay.
Shirley Spear, interim chairwoman of SkyeConnect, said it was all about ensuring a sustainable future for tourism in Skye and Raasay, in a continuing climate where ‘tourism is everyone’s business’.
Councillor John Gordon, elected member for Eilean a’ Cheò, added: ‘SkyeConnect has worked hard to get to this place and we congratulate everyone involved. This is excellent news for our area and an important development in having a more strategic approach for Eilean a’ Cheò.’
Ms Forbes said: ‘After a busy summer, it’s great to see progress on the tourism front. I’ve long said that what is lacking on Skye is a strategic plan for the future and I have high hopes this new project officer will be just the person to do it. This summer is evidence we need a plan to make the most of tourism.’