STA Activity – January
January has been ‘conference a-go-go’ with the STA team working hard to produce what will be our busiest and most diverse programme to date, taking place at the SEC on 4th and 5th March.
Diaries have also been busy with the work that we do to co-ordinate the delivery of the future tourism strategy, particularly as we near the date for the launch of the finalised strategy with headline actions on the morning of 4th March. Marc and Karen presented the strategy to Scottish Government officials earlier this month and the strategy project has now moved into the action planning phase. Throughout January a number of action planning workshops are being held, each focusing specifically on one of the four strategic priorities – Our Passionate People, Our Diverse Businesses, Our Thriving Places and Our Memorable Experiences. The output from these workshops will shape the headline actions which will deliver the Strategy.
Marc was one of eight business leaders invited to attend a dinner hosted by the Lord Mayor of London at the beginning of the month at Mansion House where the topics of discussion centred around a number issues – how can Scotland’s cities work more closely with London, the importance in delivering a successful #COP26 and how together we can better promote and grow the economies across the U.K. through collaboration and at same benefit of business, and those that live and work in our key city destinations – tourism being one of the real opportunities for both London and Scotland.
The STA attended a round table meeting mid-January with around 15 other trade bodies to discuss the recently announced Amendment 9 on the Non-Domestic Rates Bill which was put forward by Andy Wightman, MSP Scottish Greens. This, if passed at the beginning of February would see local authorities set their own poundage rate, rates reliefs and any supplements or surcharge. The Scottish Tourism Alliance has been particularly active on this issue and sent a submission to the Local Government and Communities Committee to raise our concerns around this proposed amendment. Not only could this mean higher rates bills for businesses, it is also likely to open the door to local rates supplements and levies and is very much a step backwards from the actions and recommendations of the Barclay Review which aimed to ensure greater competitiveness, transparency and simplicity.
We also co-signed a letter to MSPs with 26 trade groups and associations to detail these concerns which generated a significant amount of media activity.
Our PR machine continues to operate in full swing, responding to our weekly calls for quotes on the biggest issues that affect Scotland’s tourism businesses and the future of our industry and we have been putting plans in place for the media launch of the tourism strategy in March.
Our communications team are also putting the final design touches to our exclusive new member communications and toolkits which will be winging its way to STA members in boxes within the next two weeks.
