(TAN): Adventure and marine tourism businesses in Scotland will be able to apply for a share of a new GBP 2.5 million (USD 3.38 million) fund to help them prepare for the 2021 visitor season.
The new fund will be launched around January end and will be administered by VisitScotland on behalf of the Scottish government. Sector Groups Wild Scotland and Sail Scotland who secured this funding on behalf of their sectors will be supporting VisitScotland throughout the process. The fund for these sectors is part of an overall GBP 104.3 million package of support for tourism businesses announced recently.
The fund will support essential re-commissioning and re-start costs for businesses, aimed at those who have been significantly affected by the pandemic due to their seasonality and high set up costs associated with the activities they deliver. It is aimed at responsible tourism operators who provide sustainable outdoor related activities to visitors on land and water, from wildlife watching to charter and sailing holidays, bushcraft and survival to canoeing and mountaineering.
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Scotland’s landscape and climate make it ideal for the growing interest from visitors in adventure and nature-related activities. The pandemic has seen an increase in outdoor adventures, with cycling, running and open-water swimming growing in popularity among Scots, both during and post lockdown.
Businesses will be able to apply for grants of up to GBP 15,000 and applications for the fund will open in late January. The final amounts awarded to a successful applicant will be determined once all applications are received. Due to the complexity and breadth of businesses within the sector a two-strand approach to grant funding is necessary to meet the needs of the sector. Businesses may only apply to one strand.
Riddell Graham, director of industry and destination development, VisitScotland, said: “The coronavirus pandemic continues to have a devastating impact on the Scottish tourism industry, and our valuable marine and outdoor adventure sectors are no exception. Many businesses are struggling as a result of the pandemic, with more uncertainty ahead as we enter a period of tougher restrictions across Scotland. Recovery will require our collective efforts and this funding support will enable outdoor businesses to address some of the challenges they face around re-opening for 2021.”
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Victoria Brooks of Wild Scotland, said: “Outdoor tourism has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic, but it is also a sector with huge growth potential, particularly in the deliverance of sustainable and responsible tourism activities which in time will create new jobs and ensure Scotland is on the map as a world leading responsible tourism destination. This fund really does highlight the importance of the outdoor sector in Scotland and the vital role it will play in the recovery post Covid-19 both economically and mentally.”
Alan Rankin, CEO of Sail Scotland, said: “The fund aims to support operators meet the high re-commissioning and re-start costs associated with the sector and will provide much needed confidence to many operators. The importance of supporting the sector at this time of year is vital, not just fo
