Scots hoteliers call for heads to roll at STB
The Scottish Tourist Board (STB) and its chief executive, Tom Buncle, are under fierce attack from the country's hoteliers just a fortnight before the board's annual conference.
Buncle is said by industry insiders to be under pressure to resign. After a difficult summer for many Scottish hotels, struggling with the knock-on effect of rising fuel prices, the strong pound, and more hotel bedrooms than guests to sleep in them, Buncle has emerged as a target for the industry's complaints.
Bad publicity over the STB's £6m Internet booking service, Ossian, is also fuelling criticism.
Donald Macdonald, chief executive of Macdonald Hotels, described the Scottish tourism industry as in a "state of crisis".
He said: "The Scottish Tourist Board has been losing dynamism and credibility over a number of years, coupled with its inability to lead and drive tourism at all levels in Scotland."
Ivan Broussine, chief executive of the Scottish Tourism Forum - representing companies and trade bodies in the tourism, travel, hospitality and leisure industries - said: "The industry feels that the STB has failed to respond to the summer crisis, and there are serious concerns about the board's commitment to sustaining the industry."
Buncle said that often when hoteliers asked for leadership what they really wanted was grants.
He said: "I am quite prepared to be called to account for what I have done, but I am not prepared to be called to account for something I have not done.
"Scottish tourism has been affected by the currency at both ends: the British go abroad because it is so cheap, and the Europeans and Americans stay away because it is more expensive. London's airports make it cheaper and easier to reach.
"Where the STB has spent money it can clearly be shown that it spent money well and got returns of which any private company would be proud, but there are limits to what we can do," said Buncle.
He added that the Internet booking service would prove valuable in future and that many hotels would benefit when they had a chance to train their staff to use its e-booking system.
A review of the STB's structure and functions is being conducted by consultancy firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers, due to be completed by the end of October.
by Lucia Cockcroft
Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 28 Sept - 4 Oct 2000
