A tourism strategy encouraging visitors to feel ‘close and connected’ will be launched on the Black Isle next month.
The Black Isle Tourism Team (Bitt)’s strategy emphasises ‘slow tourism’ along with their brand Savour the Unexpected.
The strategy, so far in first draft, has been developed from a consultation process which began last November with an event involving more than 50 businesses, community groups and local residents.
Bitt chairman Jon Palmer said discussions explored issues affecting local communities and looked at ways of developing tourism in a way that enhanced, rather than hindered, local life.
He said: “This is the first time the Black Isle as a whole has really come together to plan what it wants for the future. We’ve gone to great efforts to involve as many people as possible as it will only work if everyone is on board, and feels they’ve had an input.
“We want to extend the season with an all-year-round calendar of attractions; find better ways of communicating and greater accessibility to what’s on offer; and invite tourists to get under the surface and become more involved in daily life rather than being an outsider looking in or passing through.”
Mr Palmer said a paid officer in post to help drive the aspirations forward would ‘make a huge difference.’
He said: “We’re all volunteers. There’s already a lot going on in the different communities, and many exciting plans, but we need to ensure there’s joined-up thinking between all those ideas. That’s what’s at the heart of this strategy.’
The first draft of the strategy will be launched on Monday April 8 with a walk in Culbokie Woods followed by a meeting at the Culbokie Inn to continue feedback and networking over lunch.
Anyone with an interest in tourism and how it affects the Black Isle is welcome. Organisers ask attendees to contact tourism@black-isle.info for further details and to reserve places.
