Assisting tourism in the Highlands and Islands

Financial support and assistance

So let's hear your ideas and plans and we'll see where, and if, we can assist you, be it:

• growing an existing company
• developing an outdoor activity
• making your tourism product or service more attractive to customers 
• developing new international markets
• or help with ebusiness and collaboration

Another major source of funding is the forthcoming Growth Fund, a project designed to assist collaborative group marketing projects that attract more visitors to Scotland and make it easier for them to book their visit. The fund will enable groups of tourism businesses to extend current marketing activity or test a new market or activity which could bring additional visitors, but is not intended to be long term or core funding for major initiatives. 

Applicants can apply for between £2,500 and £65,000 as appropriate, but are expected to provide at least 25 per cent of the total project cost themselves. The VisitScotland Growth Fund will cover the whole of Scotland and will be open soon.

Spotlight...

Blue Reef Cottages on the Isle of Harris has been voted as one of the best performing Green businesses in Scotland. In April, the tourism operator was recognised for their top class efforts the four made during 2007 - one of only four businesses in the Highlands and Islands to earn the top Green Tourism Business Scheme accolade.

The awards were based on energy performance, Green grading and efforts as Green ambassadors for sustainable tourism.

Neil Campbell, of Blue Reef Cottages, said: “By making a conscious effort to reduce our utility bills, we were able to significantly reduce our energy and water costs.

“In addition, we offset our footprint by planting 3,500 broadleaf trees to create a wildlife area.”