CNN invited to Skye after ‘places to avoid’ listing

● Local MSP asks US broadcaster to visit island after its ‘backlash’ article

The local MSP for Skye has issued a “personal invitation” to bosses at CNN to visit the island after it featured on a list of 12 global destinations to avoid this summer compiled by the US broadcaster.

Kate Forbes said “seeing is believing” and has called on CNN’S travel editor, Brekke Fletcher, to take a trip to Scotland’s biggest island to experience its hospitality.

The Scottish island found itself at the top of a list which included Barcelona, India’s Taj Mahal and Mount Everest in an article highlighting a “tourist backlash” around the world. It followed claims of overcrowding on the island after a surge in visitors last summer.

The news prompted an angry response from local business and tourism leaders, who insisted that the island is open for businesses.

0 Tourists flock to Skye in the summer to visit its striking landscapes

Ms Forbes said yesterday: “Seeing is believing and that is why I’ve invited the CNN Travel team to see Skye and the west Highlands for themselves.

“It is unrivalled, and is also creating hundreds of jobs. Visitors are welcome, although they need to respect the natural environment and the people who live here year round.”

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 to show “common sense” after many visitors turned up without booking accommodation and found they were left with nowhere to stay.

Ms Forbes added: “I understand that last year, the rapid growth in visitors meant there was pressure on key sites but that is because of the stunning scenery, delicious food and drink and warm welcome that awaits visitors.”

Asked which attractions she would show to any visitors, Ms Forbes said: “Head over the sea to Skye on the last manual turntable ferry in the world, watch the fishermen come in with freshly caught seafood, a boat ride from Elgol, a visit to Bannan studios in Sleat, a walk along the west coastline, over to Raasay to see Calum’s Road, a proper ceilidh with a cup of tea and a good gossip, a concert of Scottish folk music.”

Steps are now being taken on the island to ensure that local infrastructure is able to cope with the seasonal influx this summer, with tourism being viewed as critical to Skye’s future. The island’s population of 10,000 swells up to 60,000 during peak tourist season and numbers have risen dramatically in recent years.

CNN claimed the infrastructure of Skye “creaked under the pressure” as thousands of tourists in coaches and cars plied its narrow lanes, resulting in widespread snarl-ups.