TOURISM INDUSTRY MAPS OUT NEW ROUTES TO RECOVERY Tourism is vital to the Highlands and Islands and will play a key role in our post-pandemic economic recovery. As providers adapt to a changing market, HIE has started to deliver both immediate and long-term support. From travel bans and local lockdowns to implementing track and trace systems and social distancing, businesses in the tourism industry have faced unprecedented challenges this year. With support from HIE and our partners, many businesses are using this enforced interruption to re-imagine a more sustainable future. DELIVERING FUNDING TO THE FRONT LINE As coronavirus restrictions tightened into full national lockdown in March, HIE played a key role in helping tourism businesses in the region access emergency support. Tourism and hospitality providers accounted for a significant number of organisations that made successful applications for emergency funds administered by HIE on behalf of the Scottish Government. The Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund (PERF), administered by Scotland’s enterprise agencies, provided grants to small and medium sized companies who were able to demonstrate a viable contribution to Scotland’s local or national economy if they could be supported to keep trading in the short term. In the Highlands and Islands, the tourism and hospitality sector accounted for 43% of PERF awards, compared with 11% nationally. The £30m Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises Hardship Fund meanwhile provided grants of up to £25,000 for small creative, tourism and hospitality companies not in receipt of COVD-19 business rates relief. In the Highlands and Islands, a total of 456 grants were awarded totalling £4.9m. HIE is also providing targeted support to selected hotels across the region through the £14m Hotel Support Programme. Through bespoke consultancy, business advice and funding, this national programme protects sustainable employment in larger hotels that are most impacted by the temporary downturn in travel.
PRACTICAL SUPPORT In addition to administering emergency funds, HIE were quick to launch a new Tune Into Tourism (TINTO) podcast series to make sure local businesses had access to the latest developments, international research and innovative thinking in the tourism sector. “We changed from the webinars we offered last year to podcasts,” explains Seb Shingler, tourism development manager for the Northern Innovation Hub. “Partly because it was easier to arrange guests while respecting social distancing, but also to avoid contributing to Zoom burnout for our audience! It was a stressful time, so we were keen to remind operators to look after themselves as well as their businesses. We encouraged them to step away from their desk and take a break while listening to the podcast for inspiration, ideally while going for a walk or enjoying some fresh air.” Eight new episodes were released on all major podcast platforms across the spring and summer, with more due to follow later in 2020. As well as regular updates from VisitScotland’s market news and consumer insight reports, host Julia Sutherland spoke to influential figures from both the domestic and international tourism industries. Listeners heard inspirational stories and practical tips on how providers of all kinds are responding to the changing market. Noted travel journalist Simon Calder featured on two episodes, highlighting the opportunity for increased domestic travel to offset lost business from international guests as well as the need for providers to reassure local communities, employees and potential guests that all necessary COVID precautions are in place. Along with our partners, HIE helped implement a number of initiatives to help the industry re-open as restrictions eased, including VisitScotland’s Get Tourism Ready campaign and the Good To Go self-certification scheme which helped operators demonstrate compliance with the latest health and safety guidance. 31
