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Category: Press Release

ASSC Shortlisted in the Working Together for Tourism Category at the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards 2022

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

The ASSC has been shortlisted in Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards for the Working Together for Tourism Award 2022.

This category celebrates partnerships, collaborations and team working, whether that be with local businesses, communities or a group of individuals. Finalists have shown to have operated a collective approach to deliver activity created as a direct result of Covid-19 and which has had a positive effect on staff, customers, visitors and/or the local community to ensure that everyone could have a confident and positive experience.

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) developed the Cleaning Protocols and Sectoral Guidance for Self-Catering Properties in the Context of Covid-19 in collaboration with the Professional Association of Self-Caterers (PASC UK), Premier Cottages, and Wales Tourism Alliance, that were endorsed by the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments. The ASSC commissioned on-line training to sit alongside the protocols and FAQs.

The ASSC managed to persuade the Scottish Government to allow self-catering businesses to open ahead of schedule on 3rd July 2020 in response to the robust nature of the cleaning protocols. We managed to evidence that if the self-catering sector opened on 3rd rather than 15th, it represented an additional £20m to the Scottish economy.

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

“‘The Cleaning Protocols and Sectoral Guidance for Self-Catering Properties and Short-Term Lets in the Context of Covid-19’ supported the sector through the pandemic and enabled operators to ensure the safety of their guests, their cleaning staff and their communities.

“Throughout the pandemic and as we continue navigate out of it into the ‘New Extraordinary’, with all the associated challenges, the ASSC has fought the corner of its members, kept them informed of unfolding developments, and engaged with leading tourism stakeholders, MSPs and the Scottish Government to ensure the best outcome possible for our sector.

“We are absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for this award. This represents recognition for all of the incredibly hard work not only of the ASSC, but of every single one of our members. We could not be more proud.”

Press Release: First Regional Get-together Kicks Off Summer Season in Style

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers held the first of their 2022 get-together events at Inverary Castle on Wednesday 8th June. The evening reception, hosted by Torquhil Campbell, Duke of Argyll, was a roaring success with over 100 guests in attendance.

The purpose of the event was to toast being able to see one another in person, once again, to honour the resilience, determination and professionalism of ASSC members and to celebrate the vital role of self-catering in Scottish tourism. Also, to recognise the continuing hard work of the ASSC, ensuring that Scottish self-catering has a voice that is being heard by decision-makers at every level of government throughout the country, and to thank those who have supported us.

The event saw presentations from the ASSC’s Chief Executive Fiona Campbell, Rob Dickson, Director of Industry and Destination Development, VisitScotland, Marc Crothall MBE, Chief Executive, Scottish Tourism Alliance and Cathy Craig, Chief Executive, Argyll & the Isles Tourism Co-operative.

The event was also attended by Fergus Murray, Head of Development & Economic Growth, Argyll & Bute Council, Councillor Mark Irvine, and Provost Maurice Corry, alongside partners and trade suppliers and, of course, Members of the ASSC.

Attendees were treated to spectacular whisky cocktails from North Star Spirits, canapes from Cu Mara Bistro, supported by Loch Fyne Oysters, Chrystal’s Shortbread and Tunnock’s.

Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers Chief Executive, Fiona Campbell, said:

“It was truly wonderful to hold our first get-together event of the year and to see so many smiling faces in person. It was a true celebration, after the torrid time that the sector has endured and the challenges that we continue to face.

“I want to think our generous host, The Duke of Argyll, as well as all of our speakers, partners and attendees for making this event so much fun and so special. We are already planning the next one.”

Link to photos.

A video to give a flavour of the event, from one of our sponsors, North Star Spirits.

Testimonials from Partners:

“”I loved the event… beautiful canapés, interesting people, casual format. Some great connections made. It was great to meet so many enthusiastic members and put names to faces. We will be happy to attend the next regional event and are here in the meantime to support ASSC Members” DM Hall

I had a great time at the event, it was by far one of the best events that I’ve attended” Zeal

 

Self-Caterers Launch First-Ever Local Election Manifesto

Posted on by Melanie Allen

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers has launched its first-ever local government election manifesto.

Self-Catering: Local, Reliable, Sustainable: The ASSC’s Manifesto for Scotland’s Local Government Elections sets out the association’s four key priorities for Scottish self-catering as it recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the manifesto, self-caterers are urging local politicians to commit to minimising the burden of short-term let licensing by working closely with small business, monitoring the impact of the policy, and pledging not to impose additional conditions on already hard-pressed businesses.

The manifesto also calls for an evidence-based approach to the use of short-term let control areas and for such decision-making not to be based on crude hearsay and anecdote.

Additionally, the ASSC is asking those who find themselves in power to reject the introduction of local tourism levies, should the power to do so flow to them from Holyrood.

Finally, Scotland’s self-caterers are imploring local councils to promote self-catering as a sustainable tourism option in their areas, drawing particular attention to the role that the industry has in helping the environment, and local economies, flourish across Scotland.

In launching Self-Catering: Local, Reliable, Sustainable, the ASSC hopes to encourage a step-change in thinking around short-term lets, cut through the often-inaccurate rhetoric surrounding what self-caterers do, and help local governments across Scotland understand and appreciate that there is a bright future for tourism in their areas, with self-catering playing a vital role.

ASSC_2022_manifesto

Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers Chief Executive, Fiona Campbell, said:

“I am thrilled to launch our manifesto ahead of these vital local elections.

“Hardworking and dedicated self-caterers across Scotland have had a really tough time throughout the pandemic and we need the help of our local politicians to get us back to doing what we do best.

“I would urge everyone standing in these elections to consider our moderate, sensible, and evidence-backed proposals and to think about the benefits that they will have for the communities they wish to represent.”

ENDS