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Month: June 2019

Press Release: Joint response from ASSC and STAA to the Planning Bill in Scotland

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

“The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) and the Short-Term Accommodation Association (STAA) support the outcome of the recent planning bill process.   

“We look forward to working with MSPs from all parties in Holyrood and the Scottish Government to help get the details of the future laws right and ensure that there is clarity for all those connected and impacted by short-term letting in Scotland.   

“Both the ASSC and the STAA are fully committed to creating an environment for the responsible growth of the short-term let sector in Scotland.” 

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors:

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) was founded in 1978, is the leading source of knowledge on short-term letting and holiday homes in Scotland. It has more than 650 Members, operating in excess of 7,000 self-catering properties throughout Scotland, from city centre apartments, to rural cottages, to lodges and chalets, to castles. The ASSC commits its members to maintaining the principles of “quality, integrity, cleanliness, comfort, courtesy and efficiency” and to offering visitors to Scotland consistently high standards within their self-catering properties. www.assc.co.uk   

The Short-Term Accommodation Association (STAA) was established in 2017 as the trade body for the short-term let sector in the UK by its founding members The Air Agents, Airsorted, Airbnb, HomeAway, Lavanda, OASIS, Onefinestay and UnderTheDoormat. Membership is open to companies and organisations that promote, provide or service short-term accommodation rentals. The STAA seeks to work with all stakeholders towards a stable and supportive regulatory environment that promotes the UK as a global leader in the provision of short-term accommodation. www.ukstaa.org  

Short Term Lets: Consultation on a Regulatory Framework for Scotland – Background Briefing

Posted on by Melanie Allen

You may be aware that the Scottish Government have recently launched a consultation on short term lets. This will be used to inform the Scottish Government’s regulatory approach on the matter.

It goes without saying that those not favourably disposed to our industry will be coordinating responses to this consultation, relying on the same arguments lacking in evidence, in an attempt to clamp down and disproportionately regulate.

It is important to recognise that this is not just an issue that affects operators of self-catering units in Edinburgh, where the political and media debate on short-term lets has focused, but one that could have consequences for operators the length and breadth of Scotland, both urban and rural.

With that in mind, the Scottish Governmentneeds to hear and understand the views of hardworking and responsible holiday let operators like you who make such a positive contribution to the success of Scotland’s tourist economy.

In addition to taking forward our programme of political engagement, the ASSC will be issuing its own substantive response to the consultation but your individual voice matters too so that we can counter the noise from our opponents and ensure that the Scottish Government hears both perspectives.

We recognise that you will have significant demands on your time but we would appreciate it if you could respond to the consultation before the closing date of 19thJuly 2019.

To assist with your submission, we have provided a background briefing.  Please click here to request this information.

You do not need to answer all of the questions, just those which you feel you can offer your own personal insight and experience. You can respond to the Scottish Government’s consultation here: https://consult.gov.scot/housing-services-policy-unit/short-term-lets/consultation/subpage.2016-07-07.1474135251/

Yours sincerely,

Fiona Campbell, CEO, Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers.

MBE for ASSC former Chairman David Smythe

Posted on by Melanie Allen

MBE for ASSC former Chairman David Smythe

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that David Smythe, former Chairman of ASSC, has been recognised in this year’s Queens Birthday Honours List for his dedication and services to Tourism.

David said:

“I am surprised and delighted to be nominated for this Award.

“I joined the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) www.assc.co.uk as I felt that the self-catering sector was an unsung hero in the Scottish Tourism world.  I was elected Chairman in 1999, exciting times as the Internet was just starting to make a small impact on tourism, and also just as the first Scottish Parliament was elected and getting down to business.   The disasters of 2001 – first Foot and Mouth which closed the countryside, then the 9/11 horrors which hit air travel, instantly crystallised the value of tourism to Scotland making it essential that the industry engaged with Government to rebuild tourism success.

“In my 18 years of Chairmanship, the Association has moved from being run by a part-time secretary and volunteer Committee of Management to employing a full-time Chief Executive and two staff, now overseen and guided by a Board.   With a healthy membership and an active Association in good health, I stood down as Chair in November 2018.    I have made it my business to work closely with ASSC members, industry and agencies to ensure not only that self-catering is represented robustly, but also that ASSC takes a lead role in shaping Scottish Tourism.    I was always delighted to represent the ASSC at many levels, and I pay tribute to the excellent Scottish Tourism Alliance, now a powerful advocate for Scottish Tourism for ensuring ASSC’s inclusion.

“The Award is in recognition for ‘services to tourism’, but I would like to pay tribute to the team of committed volunteers and staff at ASSC for their considerable help and guidance over the years in making the Association what it is today.

“I continue to have an active role Chairing the Perthshire Tourism Partnership and representing the Partnership on Perth and Kinross Leader LAG http://www.pkleader.org/“

We wish David many congratulations on receiving this award and send our sincere gratitude to him on behalf of everyone at ASSC.

Fiona Campbell
Chief ExecutiveMBE