Innovation
Get support and expert advice through HIE’s innovation business support programmes.
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With an average pre COVID-19 visitor spend of £1.5bn in the region, 3,200 registered tourism businesses locally, and with tourism jobs representing up to 43% of the workforce in some areas of the Highlands and Islands, tourism is central to our way of life. It sustains many of our local, regional and island economies and communities.
The tourism and hospitality sector has been one of the worst hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. An Ekosgen report, published by HIE in September 2020, estimates that visitor spend here is likely to have declined by between £370m–£584m in the financial year 2020-21. Alongside our public sector partners, we're doing all we can to support the response and recovery measures to help our industry get back on its feet.
We’re here to help local enterprises as they look at operating safely, looking at innovative ways of doing business, and meeting the increased demand for sustainable, authentic tourism experiences.
We can support you to adapt the way you operate through our innovation programmes, help you go digital and provide specialist advice as you look to recover and build resilience.
Get support and expert advice through HIE’s innovation business support programmes.
Our series of tourism webinars brings you all of the latest industry trends and insights to help you attract more visitors.
HIE’s technology placement programme offers SMEs in the Highland Council area funding of up to 50% of salary costs towards employing a graduate
Our review for account managed businesses and social enterprises.
Get dedicated support to help you start your Social Enterprise. Coaching, 1-2-1 support and dedicated learning resources are available.
Our Leadership programme supports business growth through effective and ambitious leadership which will accelerate innovation, international trade and maximise digital connectivity.
Highlands and Islands businesses and organisations can access specialist digital advice online.
Catch up with our Speak Scotland podcasts helping you make the most of Gaelic and Scots dialect in your enterprise
We work in partnership with the Scottish Government, VisitScotland and other public sector agencies, local authorities, industry and communities across our region to support the tourism industry.
As well as the programmes we offer, you can also find a comprehensive overview of all Scotland-wide public sector support on the Find Business Support website.
VisitScotland also have information on funding and provide research and insights to support business recovery and growth.
You can also find support from the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), the membership body for Scottish tourism industry.
Find out more about projects and investments across the area.
Glencoe ski centre has been granted funds to help towards the construction of a new base station
Plans to further develop the transformation of a Moray mountain resort into a year-round attraction has secured more than £73,000 of net zero funding.
Businesses in the Highlands and Islands continue to be challenged by increasing costs, economic uncertainty and supply chain issues.
Work is underway on a project to improve visitor facilities in central Shetland after securing a £133,754 investment from HIE. .
The Scottish Tourism Recovery Programme supporting 10 projects being led by Scottish leadership tourism alumni.
Find out more about the Destination Net Zero programme.
Have a look at our latest news to find out more who we're supporting and how we're helping to develop the region.
through grants and support for the region’s tourism sector
HIE funding for tourism’s digital enablement 2020/21
for destination management organisations
of HIE tourism investments going to social enterprises
We've invested over £1.5m in community-led tourism projects to support local recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. Meet some of the communities here.
What does a community-led tourism project look like?
An island wide approach - community at the heart of tourism
West Highland communities invest in tourism
How communities are investing in the future of tourism
Businesses and community organisations are delivering a wide range of innovative projects across the region. Here are just a few of them.
When tourism assets are owned and managed by communities themselves there can be huge benefits in community wealth building.
Find out more about the range of community-led tourism work on the UK's most northerly island.
Despite the COVID-19 lockdown the Community Interest Company Loch Ness Hub has renovated the disused Tourist Information Centre in Drumnadrochit.
Offering expanded and green services it will be the area's new one stop shop for information, baggage transfer service, an e-bike facility and will sell local products.
Gavin and Penny Ellis have run the Knockomie Inn in Moray for more than 25 years.
Here they share their experiences of the pandemic (recorded in 2020) and share ideas on safe re-opening.
Pre COVID Billy and Anne Harley embarked on an ambitious growth plan for their 18-bedroom Uig Hotel.
Find out more about their international marketing plan.
We're supporting an EU North Sea Interreg project called CUPIDO. Tourism organisations are learning how digital technology can open up access to our unique history and heritage.
Find out about some of the projects using 3d, virtual reality, and more to bring their histories to life.
To support COVID-19 recovery, HIE has invested £440,000 in 14 West Highland tourism facilities, from Gairloch to Kilchoan.
All run by the community, the attractions are investing in infrastructure to support the return of visitors.
See what they're doing in our feature.
If you're looking for an introduction to our unforgettable region, you can find all the hints and tips you'll need here.