Skye tourism U-turn

CNN world travel list honour for island – one year after branding it a ‘place to avoid’

Skye has made it back on to one of the world’s most prestigious travel lists – despite being cited as “a place to avoid” by the same group in 2018.

Local tourism operators welcomed the news that a visit to the Hebrides was back on American broadcasting giant CNN’s top 19 places, having “changed its tune” after putting it on the places to avoid list last year.

In 2018, CNN claimed Skye was experiencing a “tourism backlash” due to overcrowding – and put it on a list of 12 places to avoid for last summer.

Last February, CNN said: “In 2017, the infrastructure of Scotland’s largest island creaked under the pressure as thousands of tourists in coaches and cars plied its narrow lanes, making a beeline for the remote fairy pools at Glenbrittle, the iconic sunset spot at Elgol and the rocky Old Man of Storr, with traffic snarl-ups an inevitable result.”

The report prompted Kate Forbes MSP to invite the broadcaster to visit.

And it appears the broadcaster has changed its tune, with CNN now publishing an article with Skye and the rest of the Hebrides featuring in the top 19 global destinations for 2019 – a list which includes the Grand Canyon, New York City and the West Indies.

Anne Gracie, hotel owner and Skye-Connect board member, said: “We are not at all surprised that Skye has been listed by CNN as one of the top destinations in the world to visit this year.

“Skye is a huge island with some of the best scenery in the world. There are so many great places to explore combined with exhilarating activities, world-class accommodation, fine food, drink and entertainment.

“We want visitors to Skye to stay longer, see less and experience more.”

Ms Forbes added: “This is a welcome U-turn by CNN.

“When they first ran a story recommending tourists did not visit Skye, I was utterly dismayed.

“For all the challenges that we face in remote and rural parts of the Highlands, the economy is fragile and small changes can have big impacts.

“Tourism is a vital driver of growth, creating jobs, generating income and keeping people local.

“Yes, there have been frustrations but these are isolated to certain areas – and it would be catastrophic if tourists were told not to come.

“I am pleased that CNN has changed its tune.”

BUILDING BRIDGES: CNN has changed its tune after last year urging tourists to forgo views such as Sligachan Bridge as Skye creaked under the weight of a tourism boom