As many of you will know Moray Chamber of Commerce currently hosts Moray Speyside Tourism, the destination marketing organisation for Moray Speyside.
MST works to grow the volume and value of tourism to the Moray economy by means of consumer and B2B marketing, business support and advocacy.
Since 2014, MST, has promoted the region to visitors, supported local tourism businesses and represented the region’s tourism industry at national and international level. During this time the annual value of tourism to the Moray Speyside economy has grown by record levels and stands at £130 million per year.
As the industry is more mature than it was, it is now time for Moray Speyside Tourism to fly on its own – out from under the Chamber’s wings and create a secure and sustainable future for tourism development in the region.
MST has launched a campaign to introduce a Tourism Business Improvement District for Moray and Speyside which will provide tourism businesses with an opportunity to shape and direct their own future.
The Tourism Business Improvement District is a new way of investing in Moray’s tourism industry which would result in more investment in the region’s tourism industry, more UK and international marketing of our region, more support for tourism businesses and no reliance on public funding.
Even if you aren’t in tourism (which is very few of us – as most are connected in some way!), I urge you to find out how this exciting project can benefit tourism businesses and secure the future of Moray Speyside as a world-class tourism destination.
The Business Improvement District will give business owners the chance to take control of their future and make sure the priorities are heard.
Shortly, all tourism businesses who are registered as businesses within the Moray Council area and who have a rateable value of £2,000 or more will receive a copy of the business plan – a plan which has been created based on feedback from the industry survey.
They will then have the chance to vote at the end of the year and determine the future of tourism in our region.
Sarah Medcraf is chief executive of Moray Chamber of Commerce
