Agenda item

1.            TOURISM – ECONOMIC IMPACT AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

5.1       There had been circulated copies of a report by the Corporate Transformation and Services Director providing an update to Members on the economic impact of tourism on the Scottish Borders economy.  Mr McGrath explained that in order to track tourism activity in the Scottish Borders, the Council currently received annual data from the Scottish Tourism Economic Assessment Monitor (STEAM). In December 2016 the Council had received the first interim report of the STEAM data for the Scottish Borders covering January – June 2016.  Comparing Jan-June 2015 with Jan-June 2016, visitor days in the Scottish Borders had increased by almost 11%, visitor spend was up by 16%, and employment related to tourism had increased by 8%.  The rise in tourism activity in the Scottish Borders, both in terms of numbers and economic impact, was substantial, not only when compared to the previous year, but also when compared to other local authority areas in Scotland.  Breaking the numbers down further, visitor spend on food and drink had increased by 20%, and on accommodation was 17% higher than the same period in 2015.  Visitor days in hotels/B&Bs (serviced accommodation) showed a significant increase, 27% higher than 2015.  In fact every tracked category showed positive growth; the first time there had been an increase in all categories in over 10 years.  The report went on to highlight that some tourism businesses were missing out on valuable opportunities to market and promote themselves through the VisitScotland.com website.  The VisitScotland Growth Fund was also an opportunity for businesses in the Scottish Borders.  A VisitScotland Area Activity Summary for the Scottish Borders was attached to the report. Another positive initiative providing opportunities for tourism businesses was the establishment of a new private sector led action group - Midlothian and Borders Tourism Action Group (MBTAG).  This would deliver a range of business-to-business development opportunities to the tourism sector.  The report raised awareness that 2017 would be the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology and that this presented further opportunities for tourism businesses. 

5.2      Members unanimously welcomed the positive news contained within the report.  In the ensuing discussion attention was drawn by some Members to particular attractions within their locality which, it was felt, did not feature in current tourist promotional material.  The importance of having a highly rated presence on visitor attraction websites was referred to, it being recognised that there was an increasing public reliance on social media for this dynamic source of information. Mr McGrath agreed to follow up a request for the Council to work with VisitScotland to provide more and improved signage to local tourist attractions. Mr Clark commented on the recent revaluation of rateable values of businesses carried out by the Scottish Assessors Association and possible implications for businesses within the tourist sector.  Members concurred with the assumption within the report that, given the timeframe, the most likely source of the rise in tourism activity in the Scottish Borders was the positive impact of the Borders Railway and the realisation of outcomes which had been included in the Business Plan was noted.  Members believed that this represented significant evidence to support the opening of Reston station in Berwickshire and to inform the campaign to extend the Borders Railway to Carlisle, thereby bringing economic benefit to the whole of the Borders area. 

DECISION

(a)          NOTED the positive results of the latest tourism research for the Scottish Borders as set out in Section 4 of the report; and

(b)       AGREED to promote to local businesses, through Business Gateway and the Area Tourism Partnership, the tourism business opportunities set out in this report.

ADJOURNEMENT

The meeting adjourned at 11.35 a.m. and reconvened at 11.45 a.m.