Members Business Debate: Tourism Month

A Members Business Debate on Tourism Month will take place in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 22 March. The motion to be debated can be found here:

Submitted by: Evelyn Tweed, Stirling, Scottish National Party.  
Date lodged: Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Supported by: Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Colin Beattie, Siobhian Brown, Alexander Burnett, Stephanie Callaghan, Katy Clark, Jackie Dunbar, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Annabelle Ewing, Jim Fairlie, Murdo Fraser, Kenneth Gibson, Bill Kidd, Fulton MacGregor, Ruth Maguire, Gillian Martin, John Mason, Paul McLennan, Stuart McMillan, Marie McNair, Jenni Minto, Audrey Nicoll, Colin Smyth, Kaukab Stewart, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance
Current status: Due to be taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 22, 2022

That the Parliament recognises that March is Scottish Tourism Month; understands that the aim of this is to engage, connect and inspire all of Scotland’s tourism businesses and organisations, as well as celebrate what it sees as the enormous contribution that tourism makes to Scotland; considers that the sector has been severely impacted over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic; understands what it sees as the importance of tourism to a sustainable recovery, with the sector reportedly worth £11.5 billion pre-pandemic and accounting for 8.5% of jobs in Scotland; welcomes the opportunities that the industry provides to people, places, businesses and communities by, it considers, acting as a stimulus for entrepreneurialism and investment, the benefits of which it believes spread far beyond tourism; further believes tourism to be a force for good across the country, enriching the economy, communities and environment; commends what it sees as Scottish tourism’s significant contribution toward Scotland’s profile on the world stage; considers that tourism can also play an important part in promoting wellness, particularly as people emerge from long periods of isolation brought about by the pandemic, and notes the view that it will take investment, support and time for the industry to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels.

Timings are not yet confirmed, however it is currently scheduled to take place after decision time on Tuesday, which is scheduled for 5.00pm.

ASSC Submitted a Briefing to inform the Members’ Debate: ASSC Briefing on Scottish Tourism Month

ASSC Responds to the National Planning Framework (NPF4) Consultation

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).

We have restricted our submission to commenting on the following section – Policy: 17 Sustainable Tourism.

We would remind policymakers that the traditional self-catering sector is dealing with an increased regulatory burden – through the introduction of a mandatory licensing system as well as planning control areas – in what are already challenging circumstances for Scottish tourism. Taken collectively, we have already argued in numerous consultation responses that these policies will entail a materially negative impact for Scotland’s tourism sector, will cost jobs and livelihoods, and will reduce the number of short-term lets available without increasing housing provision.

The ASSC firmly believes that there should be no further short-term let regulations in Scotland until the cumulative effect of licensing and control areas has been fully analysed to ensure there are no unintended consequences and that they are clearly meeting policy objectives. There needs should be clear evidence that existing planning law, including control areas and local development plans, has improved access to affordable housing. To this end, the ASSC have submitted metrics to the Scottish Government’s Short-Term Let Working Group in respect of the upcoming review in Summer 2023 of short-term let licensing.

National Planning Framework 4 – ASSC response

Scottish Government Publishes Updated Short-Term Let Licensing Guidance

The Scottish Government has published updated short-term let licensing guidance for hosts and operators, and licensing authorities.

The guidance has been updated to reflect the licensing legislation approved by the Scottish Parliament in January.