STA Statement: The Scottish Tourism Alliance Responds to Appointment of John Swinney MSP to Leader of the SNP and presumptive First Minister
Marc Crothall, STA Chief Executive commented:
“The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) welcomes the appointment of John Swinney MSP as Leader of the SNP.
The STA has built a strong and productive relationship with Mr Swinney over the course of many years, and we are encouraged to hear Mr Swinney’s early signalling of a renewed commitment to economic growth.
Furthermore, we call on the new First Minister to support Scotland in realising the vision outlined in its national tourism strategy, that ‘Scotland will be a leader in 21st century tourism’.
Key to this will be the reinstatement of a tourism and hospitality ministerial role at Cabinet level. Given the sector’s immense importance to Scotland’s economy and its diverse nature, we believe it is essential for our industry to have a dedicated voice at the highest level of government.
Our vision and mission align closely with the Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation, it is imperative that the tourism and hospitality sector is represented at the top table of government so that barriers to the sector’s growth can be overcome with supportive policy, and the many opportunities in front of us are recognised and fully understood by all in the new Cabinet.
We also very much welcome Mr Swinney’s commitment to offer Kate Forbes a senior role in his Cabinet on the presumption he will be officially appointed as the next FM. Both have recognised the significant importance of a healthy, prosperous tourism and hospitality sector in Scotland and have consistently engaged openly and constructively with the STA to discuss the many challenges faced by our sector.
We look forward to working collaboratively with Mr Swinney and his government to ensure the continued success and growth of Scotland’s tourism and hospitality industry and to ensure that progressive and supportive policy is developed together with Scotland’s wider business community to maximise Scotland’s economic potential.
We eagerly anticipate early engagement in the coming weeks, where we will have the opportunity to share the Scottish Tourism Alliance’s policy agenda for growth with the new government”.
