Lib Dems pledge to focus on boosting tourism

Better car parking and electric charging points, public toilets and access to superfast broadband could help rural areas take advantage of a surge in staycations to Scotland, Alex ColeHamilton has said.

The Scottish Liberal Democrat leader used a visit to the Highlands to promote his party’s pledge to support Scottish tourism and “ensure that it works for the communities who call the place home”.

The Lib Dems’ local election manifesto calls for adopting new tourism strategies to take advantage of a boom in people choosing to holiday in Scotland.

It also urges a substantial programme of capital works in tourism-friendly areas to provide better car parking, electric charging points, public toilets and waste disposal points.

Speaking on the visit yesterday, Mr ColeHamilton said: “We are so lucky to live in a beautiful country with a fascinating history.

“Lifestyles, services, travel patterns and choices have changed, sometimes permanently, whilst many local businesses have adapted to new opportunities.

“There are major opportunities to keep ‘leisure pounds’ local and to back good local businesses which provide sustainable local jobs.”

Mr Cole-Hamilton stressed that amid any opportunities, it is important to ensure communities who already live in these locations all year round are not forgotten about.

“That means making sure cities like Edinburgh have appropriate licensing regimes in place and providing new amenities in areas like the Highlands so that they are not overrun by tourists,” he said.