£1.5m tourism investment gets the green light in Highland’s budget proposals for Recovery, Health and Prosperity

A £1.5 million visitor management investment strategy has been agreed as part of the Council’s collaborative budget proposals.

Chair of the Council’s Tourism Committee Cllr Gordon Adam said: “I am delighted that Members have supported a long-term Highland Visitor Management Strategy which is set to invest in roads; parking and visitor management; public toilets; enhanced litter and waste collection services; much needed provision for motorhomes; and public transport.”

He added: “It has proven vital that we invest in our tourism infrastructure which is fundamental to the economic recovery of the Highlands. We want to be ready to welcome visitors back to the region when lockdown restrictions ease. This investment will benefit tourists, but also enhance the wellbeing of Highland communities and help to preserve our stunning environment.”

Opposition spokesperson for Tourism, Cllr Alex MacInnes said: “This is fantastic news for communities across the Highlands who have seen the tremendous growth of tourism, and in particular the growth of camping and campervanning over the past year. These investments are much needed and, together with improvements under the Scottish Government’s Tourism Infrastructure Fund, will make a huge difference to our tourist offering. We now need to focus on getting some of the mitigating support in place as quickly as possible ready to welcome visitors.”

Funding for projects in the visitor management strategy will now get the green light to begin work:

• £280,000 investment in roads such as improving passing places, lay-bys, road signs and verges;
• over £200,000 investment in parking management at tourism hot spot car parks;
• ten new seasonal access ranger posts (£300,000) focusing on visitor management issues;
• £60,000 investment in public toilets and
• £180,000 increase in waste management service, frequency and capacity to help combat littering;
• £200,000 for motorhomes campsite and waste servicing;
• £60,000 for park and ride public transport schemes to 3 sites on Skye; and
• £175,000 to work with Cairngorms National Park Authority visitor management improvements in Aviemore – Glenmore corridor area.

Link to the budget papers : https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/4398/highland_council