Confusion reigns over tourism growth target

Visit Scotland bosses have been accused of equivocating over the achievability of the Scottish Government's growth target for Scottish tourism.

At the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee on the 26th of October, Visit Scotland Chief Executive Malcolm Roughead said that "It is realistic to say that the 50% target will not be achieved...it would be naïve to expect that in the next three to four years we would see an increase of 50%".

This was then directly contradicted a week later when John Swinney spoke to the Committee and stated that "The target of increasing tourism revenues by 50% was formulated in 2006 and the Government remains committed to it. It has not changed."

This morning at the Committee in response to questions from the convenor, Murdo Fraser MSP, Malcolm Roughead and Visit Scotland Chairman, Dr. Mike Cantley refused to say whether they stood by their previous remarks that the target was not achievable.

Dr. Cantley stated that there was an ambition to grow Scottish tourism but would not say that the target was achievable.

Commenting afterwards, Murdo Fraser MSP, said:

"We now have outright confusion over the status of the Scottish Government's tourism growth target. Visit Scotland told us initially that it was not achievable. John Swinney then told us that the Government were sticking by it but today Visit Scotland can't agree, neither with Mr. Swinney or with their previous statement.

"Tourism is Scotland's number one industry and all those involved in it need clarity on this issue. Are Visit Scotland committed to growing the industry by 50% by 2015 – yes or no?"

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