Industry update: New industry leadership group to be established
An industry leadership group will be set up to help drive Scotland’s ambition to be a world leader in 21st century tourism, the Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise has today announced (Monday 22nd August).
The Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group (ILG), which will support work towards a sustainable and resilient recovery for the industry, will be co-chaired by Ivan McKee MSP and, for an initial period of two years, Marc Crothall, the CEO of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, the leading representative body for the industry.
The group will build on the achievements of the Scottish Tourism Emergency Response Group (STERG), a partnership of public agencies and industry stood up to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
STERG led the COVID response for tourism and hospitality, ensuring that financial and other business support went where it was most required. It delivered a tourism recovery programme worth up to £25m which was aimed at accelerating recovery in the short-term and setting the industry back on track towards the national tourism strategy Scotland Outlook 2030.
The ILG will take a similar collaborative approach, with members from public sector organisations involved in STERG joining representatives from the private and third sector on the group.
From today (Monday 22nd August), people who wish to play their part in the group can submit an expression of interest to sit on the group here. Applications close on Sunday 18th September.
Applications will be shortlisted by a panel made up of representatives from VisitScotland, the Scottish Tourism Alliance and the Scottish Government. The first meeting of the Tourism and Hospitality ILG will take place in early November.
Tourism Minister Ivan McKee said: “The establishment of this new Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group will ensure we can collaborate on solutions to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the sector. I look forward to discussing in detail with members how we can work together to deliver Scotland Outlook 2030 and more widely the National Strategy for Economic Transformation.
“Over the course of the last couple of years, the Scottish Tourism Emergency Response Group (STERG) has played a crucial role to support the tourism and hospitality sector in the immediate recovery from the pandemic. As we continue to recover from the effects and grow our economy again, there are different challenges impacting the sector, including Brexit and the Cost Emergency.
“I am grateful to the members of STERG, the work of the group proved invaluable. I look forward to working as closely with the new ILG, as the Scottish Government remains fully committed to becoming a world leader in 21st century tourism.”
Rob Dickson, Director of Industry and Destination Development at VisitScotland and Chair of STERG, said: “STERG has clearly demonstrated the value of collaboration to get the right guidance and financial support to businesses during the pandemic.
“Our industry has a vital role to play as we work towards achieving our shared vision of a wellbeing economy that supports regional and local communities.
“The Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group will provide an important forum for representatives from across public agencies, sectors and community tourism to work together to help drive recovery and sustainable growth.”
Marc Crothall MBE, CEO of STA, said: “I am delighted to have been asked to Co-Chair this group, after previously chairing the steering group which brought Scotland Outlook 2030 to life in March 2020. I recognise there’s lots to do and I’m confident that the newly formed group once appointed will determine the actions which will deliver the ambition and priorities as set out in Scotland Outlook 2030.
“The formation of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group is the next step in the evolution of a valuable partnership and will see all partners working together to support a strong recovery for the sector and the growth of a sustainable tourism product for the future.”
For more information on the new Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group (ILG) or to apply, click here.
