VisitScotland announces 13 projects to be supported by the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF)

“The Rural Tourism and Infrastructure Fund is key to supporting critical tourism projects in our more remote areas. 13 projects will get support in this latest round of funding, improving visitor facilities and enhancing the visitor experience.”

Malcolm Roughead, VisitScotland Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted to announce these 13 projects which have been recommended for approval for RTIF funding. It is so important that we support work that aims to improve visitor facilities and the visitor experience, particularly when the tourism, hospitality and events industries remain closed under the current restrictions.

“We all need to play our part in being responsible visitors and improvement works like these are crucial to ensuring our visitor destinations remain sustainable for years to come. This funding will help local communities improve their facilities, as well as enhancing the visitor experience both for now and in the future when conditions are right and it is safe to do so.

“Tourism is a force for good and if managed responsibly, sustains communities in every corner of Scotland, creates jobs, tackles depopulation and improves the wellbeing of everyone who experiences it. We believe this fund is helping to ensure that the tourism infrastructure for visitors meets current and future demand.”

Ben Ross, NatureScot Head of Nature Reserves, said of the project in Aberdeenshire: “St Cyrus is one of the richest and most diverse National Nature Reserves in Britain so it is no surprise that it is extremely popular with visitors.

“Like many of our beauty spots, last year saw an increase in the number of people coming to the reserve to enjoy the great outdoors.

“This funding will help to ensure the facilities at St Cyrus are better able to meet that increased demand in future, helping more people to connect with nature at this special place.”

The full list of funded projects can be found here: https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/funding/rural-tourism-infrastructure-fund#3

Notes to Editors

• Follow us on Twitter: @visitscotnews
• VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
• The organisation’s core objective is to contribute to the Tourism 2020 Strategy ambition of growing tourism revenues by £1 billion by 2020.
• This will be supported by five overarching strategies: Marketing, Events, Quality and Sustainability, Inclusive Tourism, International Engagement.
• The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
• Spending by tourists in Scotland generates around £12 billion of economic activity in the wider Scottish supply chain and contributes around £6 billion to Scottish GDP (in basic prices). This represents about 5% of total Scottish GDP
• For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://media.visitscotland.org
• For tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.htm
• Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
• For holiday information on Scotland go to http://www.visitscotland.com
• For information about business tourism in Scotland go to http://www.conventionscotland.com

Year of Coasts and Waters 2020

• 2020 is designated as Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters.
• The year, led by VisitScotland, aims to sustain and build upon the momentum of Scotland’s preceding Themed Years to spotlight and celebrate Scotland’s unrivalled Coasts and Waters, inspiring future visits, as well as encouraging responsible engagement.
• The events programme that was designed to celebrate the year is currently subject to cancellation and postponement in line with current government advice in relation to Covid-19.
• Following input and feedback from the tourism and events industry, there has been strong support and a commitment from Scottish Government to rollover the celebratory year into 2021. Work is currently ongoing to rescope and reshape the programme.
• The Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland, and supported by a variety of partners including Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Historic Environment Scotland, Marine Scotland, National Trust for Scotland, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Sail Scotland, Scottish Canals, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Water and Scottish Tourism Alliance.
• We continue to celebrate all our favourite Coasts and Waters locations and experiences. Join the conversation using #YCW2020

Contact:

Email: Ashley.Baxter@carat.com
Tel: +44 131 561 7973

Source: VisitScotland

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