Public sector supporters of Scotland’s tourist industry must work harder to reach small firms if it is to meet government growth targets, a new report claims.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) called on tourism agencies to specifically target small businesses to ensure annual visitor spending grows by £1billion to £5.5billion by 2020.
The new study published shows that while two thirds of Scotland’s tourism businesses want to grow, a majority aren’t consulting either public or private expertise.
Andy Willox, the FSB’s Scottish policy convenor, said: “If Scotland wants to boost tourism spending we must tap the potential of our smaller tourism businesses. Their diversity should be regarded as a strength – not an inconvenience.”
The FSB highlights that Scottish Enterprise, Visit Scotland, councils, Business Gateway, the Scottish Tourism Alliance, Destination Management Organisations (DMOs), Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Tourism Intelligence Scotland and Skills Development Scotland all have a role developing Scottish tourism.
The small business lobby group argues that there’s a need for these bodies to pool their resources to get the message through to hard-to-reach small businesses.
Jess Dodd, who runs Shellfish Safaris in Ross-shire, agreed that more could be done.
Ms Dodd, along with her partner Ian McWhinney, run self catering cottages and family adventure experiences from their base on Loch Gairloch.
She said: “We don’t have time for VisitScotland, it is so expensive. We advertise ourselves,” she said.
“There has been a lot of focus on Edinburgh and recently Glasgow. It would be good as well to have the Highlands and more remote areas featured as well.”
She said that other businesses around the Gairloch have formed a community enterprise to promote their area to tourists.
Mr Willox said: “There’s no doubt that there’s some good public sector support on offer for Scottish tourism businesses, but our report shows that businesses are confused about who does what.
“While of course it’s up to businesses to look for the help they need to get the edge, publicly funded bodies need to work more closely together and deliver a consistent joined-up message to busy, hard-pressed local tourism businesses.”
The report also identified that energy costs and poor digital connectivity are holding Scottish tourism businesses back.