The second phase of Scottish Enterprise’s £1.4 million Tourism Destination Development Fund is now receiving applicantions.
First launched in March 2016, the Fund was set up to improve the quality of visitor experiences in Scotland and ultimately to increase visitor spending.
The fund offers up to £250,000 to groups of businesses working under lead organisations within Scottish Enterprise region’s rural areas and smaller cities. It forms part of a larger £5.24 million package to develop tourism destinations.
Successful destinations last year showed “a key tourism asset or theme as their focus,” said Scottish Enterprise, as well as innovative concepts including augmented reality tours, advanced data analytics, and mobile apps to create a world class visitor experience.
Another requirement is that the applicants must demonstrate activities focusing on the businesses increasing profits by attracting new customers.
“Scotland’s many wonderful destinations provide a truly unique backdrop for our visitors, with dramatic landscapes and seascapes, rich, colourful histories and vibrant culture,” said Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, reports the Daily Record.
“They provide millions of exciting experiences each year and provide a warm welcome in all parts of our beautiful country.
“This fund will provide a further opportunity for those destinations beyond our cities to make the most of their valuable tourism assets and to ensure that, wherever our visitors go in Scotland, they can enjoy a memorable and high-quality tourism experience.”
Marc Crothall, chief executive of Scottish Tourism Alliance, added, “The Destination Development fund is an excellent opportunity for groups to apply for additional income to deliver collaborative projects that will help stimulate tourism growth in their local economy.
“I would encourage those who already have ideas for projects and feel well placed to do deliver them to apply.”
Details on the application process can be accessed here. Expressions of interest close 28th April 2017, with final decisions to be announced in October.
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/business/business-news/applications-invited-144m-tourism-destination-9791872
