Benefits
About
News
Events
Resources
Forum
Your account

Category: Member Benefits

BBC Scotland: Search for Scotland’s Greatest Escape

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS! BBC SCOTLAND TV SERIES IS ON THE SEARCH FOR ‘SCOTLAND’S GREATEST ESCAPE

BBC Scotland has announced a new 8 part series which will take audiences on a journey to the very best escapes that Scotland has to offer and ultimately crown one as Scotland’s Greatest Escape. The production team are now putting a call out to the public to nominate what holiday experience they think is worthy of the title with businesses also welcome to apply.

Across the series a wide variety of holiday styles and destinations available across Scotland will be showcased. With the emphasis on exceptionality and not luxury, all budgets will be catered for. From wellness retreats to adrenalin fuelled activity breaks, romantic getaways to family fun, each episode will showcase the top three destinations in their category and be road-tested by a family or group of friends with a passion for that particular holiday style. They will spend one night at each of the shortlisted destinations and be tasked to judge five specific elements of their stay. The holiday with the highest score goes forward to the grand final.

Once all finalists are selected, an industry panel, featuring some of Scotland’s most experienced and renowned hospitality and tourism experts, will judge against strict industry standards. They will deliberate which of the finalists is most deserving of the award and present the title at the grand final which will be filmed at a prestigious Scottish location.

Scotland’s Greatest Escape will be produced by Red Sky Productions for the BBC Scotland channel and BBC iPlayer. It will broadcast in 2023.

Commenting on the series, head of commissioning at BBC Scotland Louise Thornton says: “We all know Scotland is famous as being one of the best countries in the world for tourism but this series will take viewers on a different journey of discovery and will shine a light on some of Scotland’s hidden holiday gems. We can’t wait to be inspired by what it reveals.”

Jane Rogerson from Red Sky Productions adds: “We are so excited to be making this series and can’t wait to welcome in nominations. We want to celebrate what Scotland has to offer across the board in terms of holidays from customer service to budget, facilities to accessibility and we can’t wait to get out there and get started.”

If you would like to nominate a holiday business or if you are a business and would like to apply please go to Scotland’s Greatest Escape, where you will find details along with terms and conditions.

Closing date for nominations is Wednesday 10 August and closing date for applications is Monday 15 August 2022.

Aspirational Property Series – Channel 4

Have you unexpectedly inherited a property, which you have lovingly renovated and restored to rent or hire out?

If so, Channel 4 would love to hear from you.

They are currently looking for aspirational properties and locations in the U.K, for a brand-new Channel 4 primetime television series, which will explore the narrative of family history and property inheritance.

Please email caroline.rowland@crackitproductions.co.uk 07958 721732 

Scottish Agritourism Growth Tracker

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

Farms, crofts and estates across Scotland are being asked to take part in an important study to help build a better understanding of what support is required to grow the country’s agritourism sector. 

60% of Scottish Agritourism members have some kind of accommodation as part of their farm diversification. 

The research, undertaken by VisitScotland in partnership with Scottish Agritourism will look to establish the size and scale of the industry. It aims to include a broader range of recipients this year to create a clearer picture of the country’s agritourism offering and the impact that the sector has on the Scottish economy. Results will be used to inform future decision-making and ensure the sector benefits from targeted support. 

✅ It’s anonymous

✅ It takes 30 mins

✅ It will demonstrate what #Agritourism is contributing to the #Scottisheconomy and how important the sector is.

This data is vital to prove the value of agritourism in #Scotland to secure support for the sector.

Please read the FAQs & take part: https://lnkd.in/eGpmxF2h

The census is open to all operating agritourism businesses as well as those considering adding agritourism to their operations. It will take up to 30 minutes to complete and any data provided will remain completely anonymous. The survey will close on 3 July, to take part visit: https://www.visitscotland.org/news/2022/agritourism-tracker-2022

Media Coverage This Week

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

It has been another incredibly busy week at ASSC HQ in terms of media engagement.

  • According to a recent report from Sykes Cottages, 4 out of 5 UK residents intend to holiday at home this year.

Are Staycations booming? Our CEO, Fiona Campbell, spoke to BBC Radio Scotland:

  • Home owners who cash in by renting out their properties to visitors during major events, festivals or sporting occasions such as next month’s Open Championship could be exempted from short- licensing.

Scotsman, Home owners can get exemptions to rent out properties licence-free for major Scottish events like Open Championship, 20/06/22

Times, Festival hosts may avoid lettings crackdown, 21/06/22

Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said: 

“Short-term lets play a vital if not indispensable role in providing alternative sources of accommodation to ensure Scotland has the necessary capacity to host major events like the Open Championship. After the challenges of the pandemic, it is brilliant that we can welcome back many more people to Scotland, showcasing our unique hospitality, with local businesses like self-catering benefiting in the process.”

“However, the whole basis of the licensing scheme was to provide mandatory health and safety protections and a level playing field. Enabling temporary exemptions of this nature would appear to run contrary to this when hard-pressed small businesses will have to comply.” 

“Now that licensing is in place, and to protect the status and reputation of our tourism and events offering to visitors, there should be a fairness and consistency of approach between all accommodation providers. Ensuring health and safety is paramount and this need not come at the expense of our economy.”

“Those with a temporary exemption should make the same financial contribution through fees if not all of the mandatory health and safety conditions will apply.”

  • The Highland Council is consulting on the Council’s short term let draft policy statement and proposed additional conditions for a licence.

  • Scotland’s second home owners may be stripped of £400 energy grant

Scotsman, Scotland’s second home owners may be stripped of £400 energy grant, 23/06/22

Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said:
“Following today’s debate at the Scottish Parliament, we await further detail from the Scottish Government on how this could be implemented in practice. A policy of this nature will necessitate robust data about the use of a property – something which has hitherto been lacking in Scotland. We look forward to discussions about the detail of this measure to guard against any unintended consequences.”