STA Statement: Tourism industry calls for end of triple whammy of anti-business/jobs policies

Marc Crothall, CEO of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, has today (Tuesday 28th February) released the below statement in response to comments emerging from the SNP leadership campaign around the future of Scotland’s economy: 

Tourism industry calls for end of triple whammy of anti-business/jobs policies

“It’s clear from comments being made this week within the SNP leadership campaign that there is growing momentum for a pause or indeed a reverse on current and proposed policies.

Kate Forbes and Ash Regan have both voiced their support for a pause on the DRS scheme with Kate Forbes referring to ‘economic carnage’ this will create; Humza Yousaf has called for an exclusion of small businesses for a year.

Kate Forbes made the comment yesterday on her visit to the Cairngorms Brewery that ‘On top of the deposit return scheme, we have a potential ban on alcohol advertising and promotion, potentially jeopardising one of Scotland’s greatest exports. At a tough time, why are we hamstringing the very businesses and the very industries with the greatest potential to turbocharge Scotland’s economy?’.

We must also bring into clear focus the triple whammy of anti-business measures with the introduction of the STL legislation which is hammering a key sector and contributor to Scotland’s tourism economy.  There is no point in government talking about jobs, business and the economy while implementing policies which will damage all three.”