Skye makes CNN list of places to avoid this year
Skye is facing an unexpected backlash after being dubbed one of the top 12 global tourist destinations to avoid this summer.
US broadcaster CNN added the Scottish island to the undesirable list of places that includes Barcelona and Venice.
The American network said the remote location had “creaked under the pressure” of a bumper tourist season last year, with complaints over noise and overcrowding. Business leaders defended Skye’s reputation, insisting the island was “open for business”.
Skye has been handed the unwelcome tag of being one of the top 12 global tourist destinations to avoid this summer by US broadcaster CNN.
But the claims came under fire from local politicians and business leaders who insist the island is “open for business”.
The Scottish island finds itself at the top of a list which includes Barcelona, Venice, India’s Taj Mahal and even Mount Everest in an online article highlighting a “tourism backlash” around the world.
It states that the infrastructureof scotland’ s largest island “creaked under the pressure” last year as thousands of tourists in coaches and cars “plied its narrow lanes” resulting in widespread snarl-ups.
“Eventually the residents of beautiful Skye said enough was enough after complaints of noise, overcrowding and even visitors urinating in public,” CNN claimed.
A major row broke out last year after media reports that police were advising tourists to stay away from the island.
This was disputed by local officers who insisted they had only urged people visiting the island to show “common sense” after many visitors turned up without booking accommodation and found they were left with nowhere to stay.
Skye MSP Kate Forbes hit back: “I fundamentally disagree with CNN’S list of places to avoid because Skye is definitely open for business.
“Last summer attracted thousands of visitors to the island because of its beauty, delicious food and drink, and warm welcome.”
Steps are being taken on the island to ensure that local infrastructure will be able to cope with seasonal influx this summer.
The island’s population of 10,000 swells to up to 60,000 during the peak tourist season and numbers have risen dramatically in recent years.
But Alistair Danter, chair of local tourism body Skye Connect, said CNN “spectacularly missed” the fact that many locals operate tourist businesses, with 400 Airbnbs, 140 B&BS and other businesses on the island.
He said: “CNN might find it hard to believe but these businesses are run by people who live in Skye.”
He added: “This is a popular visitor destination and our economy is developing as a result of having a really good driver behind it all – the tourist industry. If it was to go away, there would be no residents.”
So many tourists want to experience the delights of the Isle of Skye that US broadcaster CNN reckons it should be avoided, while a new report suggests Edinburgh is struggling to cope with the influx of people during its major festivals.
Scotland – or parts of it – appears to have become just too darned attractive for its own good.
Local politicians on Skye were quick to disagree with Donald Trump’s least favourite TV station, even though the island’s population swells from 10,000 to as many as 60,000 during the peak tourist season. Skye, they insist, remains very much “open for business” and all visitors are welcome. It’s just important to book ahead when it gets busy, that’s all.
Their alarm is understandable, given the importance of tourism to the island economy. But gaining a reputation for being incredibly popular may not be such a bad thing. After all, people who have never been may start to wonder what the fuss is all about, and want to come. The trick for the rest of Scotland will be to find a way to persuade all those overseas visitors to stop off on their way.