Make a date with Tourism in the Outer Hebrides

“Outer Hebrides Area Tourism”

Tomorrow marks an important date in the diary for Tourism in the Outer Hebrides with launch of the new Outer Hebrides Area Tourism Partnership Visitor Plan paving the way forward for tourism up to 2015.

The AGM for the Outer Hebrides Tourism Industry Association (OHTIA) will also take place on Tuesday 16^th March at the Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway and the events will be joined by Iain Herbert the Chief Executive of the Scottish Tourism Forum and Colin Houston from VisitScotland’s Quality and Standards department.

The day will be chaired by Ian Fordham, who owns and runs Broad Bay House a 5 Gold Star awarded Guest house in Back.

Ian is Chairman of both the OHTIA and the Outer Hebrides Area Tourism Partnership (ATP).

The Outer Hebrides ATP brings together local players from both public and private sectors, with the aim of driving forward local tourism priorities, exploiting common strengths and developing an action-based approach to local tourism.

The group consists of representatives from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CNES), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), VisitScotland, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Skills Development Scotland and local business representatives.

“Hebridean culture”

The new ATP Visitor Plan will focus on building on the successes of the tourism industry in the Outer Hebrides and meeting a series of long term outcomes including:

Increasing the tourism contribution to the islands’ economy and society
Ensuring tourism is integrated with other sectors to provide a stable economic platform for business growth
Increasing the pride and confidence in Hebridean culture, and its appeal to visitors
Encouraging more people into higher skilled, better paid tourism jobs
An enhanced and protected environment for visitors to enjoy.

“Experience the Hebrides”

Peter Carlin is officially launching the new ATP Visitor Plan on behalf of the group commented: “I am delighted with the launch of the new Outer Hebrides Area Tourism Partnership Visitor Plan which outlines the priorities and activities which will be undertaken in the Outer Hebrides between 2009 and 2015. The tourism sector is hugely important to the Western Isles and makes a substantial contribution to the islands’ economy and society. By working together in partnership I am confident we can achieve economic prosperity for the Western Isles”.

Mrs Cunningham, Proprietor of Braighe House a 5 Star Guest House in Stornoway commented: “We have already experienced the major benefits of operating a high quality establishment. Our guests are at the heart of everything we do and we work hard to provide them with the best hospitality we can. It is only by providing them with a fantastic experience, that our visitors will go home with a very positive story to tell their friends and family. These experiences encourage repeat tourism and have a long term economic benefit for the area.

“Therefore it is essential that good quality businesses such as ourselves work in partnership with other operators and the public sector to help raise the standard and customer service across the tourism experience in the Hebrides.”

“Tourism is an important sector”

Mary Ann Maciver, VisitScotland’s Islands Manager for the Outer Hebrides said: “Tourism growth is critical to the future of the Outer Hebrides and particularly in the current climate it’s extremely important for local businesses to work together to get tourism growth back on track and ensure that it makes an increasing contribution to the islands’ economy. We hope that by encouraging businesses to have more dialogue with each other they will have a better understanding of what is available from their region as a whole.

“VisitScotland promotes the Outer Hebrides and its local businesses to the world through its local and national marketing campaigns. Only by working closely in partnership can we hope to attract more people to the area.”

HIE’s area manager Archie Macdonald, said: “We are delighted that the ATP visitor plan is being launched which will build on the successes of the tourism industry in the Outer Hebrides. Tourism is an important sector in the region which has a lot to offer, and this event will help realise its potential.”

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