STA Reaction: Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2025-2026

In response to the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2025-2026, announced today (Tuesday 6 May 2025), Marc Crothall MBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, commented:

“The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) welcomes many of the measures announced in today’s Programme for Government (PfG), in particular its focus on boosting Scotland’s profile, competitiveness, and economic growth.

We urge the Scottish Government not to overlook that Scotland’s tourism and hospitality industry is central to the roll-out of its new Six Point Export Plan in attracting capital investment and driving Scotland’s profile as an innovation nation. The sector’s vital role as an economic driver and key export industry, as a unique selling proposition of Scotland as a country to visit and invest in, and as a wider force for good, must be recognised.

As one of the key asks of the STA, together with hospitality and licensed trade bodies, we are pleased that the Scottish Government will commission a new independent review of the Business Rates valuation methodology. We will be expecting positive action from the review when it reports at the end of 2026.

At a time of such economic uncertainty, the plan to put more money in people’s pockets will have a positive impact for both consumers and businesses alike. While abolishing peak rail fares permanently will make travel across Scotland more affordable for both international and domestic visitors, we hope to see this accompanied by a commitment to improved information, infrastructure, and reliability.

We are encouraged by the measures to prevent further introduction of unnecessary and untimely regulatory burden, which stifles businesses’ ability to invest and grow Scotland’s visitor offer and to be competitive on quality, price, and accessibility. However, the STA will continue to look for a direct commitment from Scottish Government to addressing the emerging challenges of implementing a visitor levy in practice, which is a pressing concern for both businesses and local authorities, and for much needed urgent action on sorting out Short-Term Lets Licensing once and for all.”