Tourism in Scotland to get £11m boost

Scotland's struggling tourism industry is to get an extra £11m to help it attract more visitors to the country.

The news was announced by Scotland's enterprise minister, Henry McLeish, at the launch of the Scottish Executive's tourism strategy.

Last year tourism bosses in the Highlands admitted the industry was in serious financial trouble and called on McLeish to review how it was funded.

The strategy, which also sets the industry a target to increase its annual revenue from £2.5b to £3b by 2005, is the result of that review.

McLeish said: "This strategy sets tough targets which I am determined the industry meets.

"I am announcing £5m will go to develop our e-commerce initiatives and a further £6m will be targeted at boosting skills development in the industry."

Last year was a particularly difficult year for Scotland's tourism industry. The number of Scots holidaying in their own country fell and hotels had to cut their room rates drastically (Caterer, 8 July 1999, page 16).

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 24 February - 1 March 2000