Orkney is grasping its tourism destiny with both hands – setting an example to Skye and NC500 on how to cope with growing visitor numbers.
The islands’ tourism sector is currently in the process of launching a new ground-breaking initiative called Destination Orkney.
The new brand is bringing together the businesses with public and statutory bodies to shape the future of tourism in the isles and build on an already thriving, well-managed sector.
The number of visitors to the islands is rising rapidly, much of it thanks to the burgeoning cruise liner trade which has seen a record number of ships, a total of 140, call at Orkney’s ports in 2017 – bringing over 120,000 passengers who boosted the economy by an estimated £6million.
Thousands more are also arriving by the more traditional methods of ferry and plane.
Also, next year, tourism leaders expect to reap some of the benefits from the North Coast 500 route as Road Equivalent Traffic is introduced to ferries, which will drive down the cost of fares.
Gareth Crichton, chairman of the Orkney Tourism Group, said: “Tourism is very buoyant at the moment. We have had two very strong years, the strongest we have ever seen.
“We have been working hard for 30-odd years and we see a bright future. The sector sits quite nicely in what is a mixed community – including agriculture, food and drink, and many more industries.
“Tourism creates a local market for those producers who are also exporters.”
He added: “We have worked on our transport and connectivity and there is an ease to get on and off the island, as well as travel throughout.
“The transport system is well organised and is well placed to get tourists around the island with relative ease.”
Mr Crichton said the infrastructure for tourists has been in place for a number of years, and he praised Orkney Islands Council for their forward thinking.
He added: “I don’t see the growing number of visitors as a challenge, but an opportunity. There are already 11 sailings a day in and out of Orkney.
“It is not that expensive as a foot passenger, or even the motorist. It is considered a good price and will get much better with Road Equivalent Tariff.
“This will possibly open up the market for those taking part in the NC500 to think about crossing the Pentland Firth and enjoy the Orkney experience.
“We are currently seeing a number of campervans doing this already, but I expect that to increase next year.”
He said the increase in cruise ships was welcome, and the infrastructure of getting the passengers around the islands was working well.
But the tourism sector in Orkney is not becoming complacent.
Mr Crichton stressed: “I think we could do more and enhance services even more.
“The proposal for Destination Orkney is for a new management organisation that will bring together all the main public and statutory bodies – such as SNH, the local authority, Highland and Islands Enterprise, Historic Environment Scotland and RSPB – together with the industry.
“We are giving Orkney Tourism Partnership some more teeth. The business sector and the public sector in Orkney is willing to invest in tourism. It creates income, and it creates jobs.
“Destination Orkney is a work in progress. One of our biggest challenges is lengthening the season. Tourism is not something you just take out of, you have to put back in and invest. More and more tourism operators are prepared to that.”