VisitScotland welcomes the appointment of Ivan McKee MSP as Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise

EDINBURGH, Scotland, 2021-May-20 — /Travel PR News/ — VisitScotland Chief Executive Malcolm Roughead has welcomed the appointment of Ivan McKee MSP as Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise.

His appointment was confirmed today (May 19 2021) in the First Minister’s new ministerial team to support Kate Forbes MSP, who was confirmed as the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy.

Mr Roughead said: “The tourism and events industry has been devastated by Covid 19 but I believe it is the sector that will lead the recovery of both the economy and the well-being of the people of Scotland.   Having tourism in the economy portfolio shows how strongly the sector links to the economic recovery of Scotland, and we look forward to working with them to restart tourism in a responsible way.

“We won’t just push a button and tourism will go back to the way it was– we’ve had a year of very little investment, job losses and business closures.   It will take time and significant investment to get us back to a thriving industry. With the right support, tourism and events can lead the economic recovery and boost inward investment where it’s needed most.

“Tourism is a force for good – creating economic and social value in every corner of Scotland and enhancing the well-being of everyone who experiences it.  It genuinely makes our country richer, economically and socially, and without it, Scotland would be a much poorer place.

“I look forward to working with Ivan McKee as we develop collaborative plans to put our £12billion tourism and events  industry at the heart of Scotland’s recovery.

“I’d like to thank our two cabinet secretaries, rural economy secretary, Fergus Ewing MSP and economy, fair work and culture secretary, Fiona Hyslop MSP who have decided to step down after many years of working with VisitScotland. They have helped to steer the tourism and events industry through incredibly tough times over the last year and I wish them well in the future.”

For details of the full ministerial team, visit: https://www.gov.scot/news/new-scottish-cabinet/

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 key objective is to contribute to Scotland Outlook 2030, the national tourism strategy ambition of pursuing a sustainable and responsible tourism agenda.
• This will be supported by five overarching strategies: Marketing, Events, Quality and Sustainability, Inclusive Tourism, International Engagement.
• 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).
• For VisitScotland’s press releases go to https://media.visitscotland.org, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org
• 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 https://businessevents.visitscotland.com

Year of Coasts and Waters 2021

• Scotland’s Coasts and Waters will be showcased throughout 2021 and celebrated with a programme of activity designed to support the nation’s tourism and events sectors.
• Following input and feedback from the tourism and events industry, there was strong support and a commitment from Scottish Government to rollover the celebratory year into 2021. Work is currently ongoing to rescope and reshape the supported events programme.
• The year, led by VisitScotland will sustain and build upon the momentum of Scotland’s preceding Themed Years to spotlight, celebrate and promote opportunities to experience and enjoy Scotland’s unrivalled Coasts and Waters, encouraging responsible engagement and participation from the people of Scotland and our visitors.
• A programme of activities, events and ideas will shine a spotlight on the impact our waters have had on Scotland, from the formation of beautiful natural features to the creation of our national drink – whisky.
• Join the conversation using #YCW2021
• Following an industry consultation, the Themed Years are planned to take place every second year to enable more time for planning and collaboration. Given the impact of COVID-19 an exception will be made in 2021 with the 2020 year rolling forward. 2022 will celebrate Scotland’s Year of Stories.

Contact:

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

Source: VisitScotland

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