STA engages cross party support in series of member forums

The STA hosted three Member Forums this week, inviting representatives from hospitality, tourism and a number of our destinations.

The hospitality and tourism sessions were joined by Willie Rennie MSP – Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Dr Claire Baker MSP – Scottish Labour and member of the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Parliamentary Committee, Oliver Mundell MSP – Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and External Affairs and our destination forum this morning welcomed the Cabinet Secretary, Fergus Ewing MSP.

Topics discussed in the three sessions included the recently published Scottish Tourism Recovery Task Force Report and an update on next steps, Scotland’s future tourism strategy ‘Outlook 2030‘, the urgent need for more financial support in the form of government grants, solutions for long term recovery such as the removal of APD and the extension of the currently lowered rate of VAT.

The issue around lack of support for the supply chain was also discussed and the impact the pandemic is having on the industry’s mental health.

The attending MSPs offered their views on the current challenges and took questions from round the table.

We will share the notes from each meeting in one of next week’s STA Covid Updates.