 The Scottish tourism industry is aiming for 50% growth |
A new action plan which will map the direction of Scottish tourism for the next decade has been unveiled. Tourism Minister Patricia Ferguson has outlined measures aimed at achieving 50% growth in tourism income by 2015.
Key initiatives will include research into tourist tastes and more training for tourism workers to raise standards.
Tourism, one of Scotland's largest industries, is worth �5bn a year to the economy. The action plan aims to boost revenue to �7.5bn in the next decade.
Other measures included in the strategy will be compulsory membership of the Green Tourism Business Scheme among all businesses wishing to work with VisitScotland by 2015.
Launching the strategy in North Queensferry, Ms Ferguson said the next 10 years would be an exciting time for the industry in Scotland.
"Tourism is everybody's business and vital to Scotland's economy," she said.
"Our industry is growing and developing well but we can't afford to be complacent. The competition is strong.
'Radical changes'
"That's why the executive is working closely with industry to deliver these radical changes to create a bright future for tourism in Scotland helping us to achieve our target of 50% growth by 2015."
Peter Taylor, chair of the Scottish Tourism Forum, said: "For us to achieve the growth ambitions we must be sure that we are in this together, both public and private sectors.
"The private sector must invest to improve products and services and the public sector must create a legislative platform that will allow business to grow.
 A tourist research network will be set up as part of the action plan |
"The Tourism Framework for Change sets out the building blocks and the priorities for the future, it is up to us all to grasp the opportunity to be innovative and work beyond what is targeted within the framework."
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) also welcomed the strategy.
Councillor Willie Dunn, the organisation's economic development and planning spokesperson, said: "Councils act as planner, provider, funder or coordinator to much of the Scottish tourism industry and for the first time this is properly acknowledged in a major national tourism strategy.
"With that recognition comes responsibility, and we in local government look forward to developing our partnership working with the Scottish Executive, VisitScotland and other agencies to fulfil the objectives set out in the new strategy and to build on the excellent product that already exists."
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Tourism is everybody's business and vital to Scotland's economy
