Poor summer and World Cup hit investmentin Scotland

Many people in the Scottish tourism industry will be unable to invest in new products and services as a result of a disappointing summer, the chief executive of the Scottish Tourist Board has said.

Speaking at the STB's annual industry conference, Raising Our Game, Tom Buncle acknowledged that poor weather, exchange rates and the World Cup had hit business over the season.

But he urged the 400 delegates in Glasgow to "keep the faith" and said the only way forward for the Scottish tourism industry was investment in quality, service and marketing.

STB chairman Lord Gordon of Strathblane told Tuesday's conference that the industryhad made great strides to improve the quality of service and accommodation in recent years, but must re-double its efforts in the face of intense competition and more discerning customers.

Melanie Howard of the Future Foundation in London described how consumer behaviour was creating a "24-hour society" for goods and services, including tourism.