A proposal to make Moray one of Scotland’s first Tourism Business Improvement Districts is to be discussed by Moray Council‘s Policy and Resources Committee today.
The proposal would aim to remove the region’s tourism sector from reliance on public funding and put control into the hands of the businesses which stand to benefit.
Local tourism businesses would be asked to pay a moderate annual levy and the money created would be managed by a board of directors elected from the levy payers.
The aim would be for the Tourism BID to unlock thousands of pounds not currently available to Moray Speyside Tourism or local tourism businesses.
The committee will decide whether the Tourism BID proposal will be allowed to proceed to a an official ballot of tourism businesses.
If approved, tourism businesses will be asked to vote on the proposals during a postal ballot which will run for six weeks from December 2019 into January 2020.
To date, more than 100 businesses within Moray’s tourism sector have expressed support for the campaign.
The first Tourism Business Improvement District was established in Inverness and Loch Ness in 2014.
Other areas like Oban and Lerwick have Business Improvement Districts with a strong focus on tourism
Laurie Piper, operations manager at Moray Speyside Tourism, the organisation leading the TBID campaign said: “When the final administrative hurdle towards the Tourism BID ballot is cleared, the future of tourism in Moray Speyside will rest in the hands of the businesses who will cast their votes in the Tourism BID ballot when it opens in early December.
“The growth in Moray Speyside’s tourism industry over recent years has been significant.
“Our region’s tourism industry is in the best shape ever, but the only way to ensure this continues is for businesses to support the Tourism BID.
“Without it, our region will no longer be marketed to visitors and our tourism industry will no longer have a voice.”
Jo Robinson, VisitScotland regional director for Moray Speyside, said: “Tourism is at the heart of economic success in Moray Speyside, creating jobs and sustaining communities.
“Its reputation as a quality destination relies on continued investment and innovation to ensure that we continue to meet visitor expectations.
“Moray Speyside has a unique landscape and history, as well as being home to world-famous brands like Johnstons of Elgin and The Macallan.
“By voting in favour of the TBID, businesses in the region can ensure that it continues to be promoted as a destination of first choice, maximising economic impact and safeguarding the profitability of tourism businesses now and in the future.”
The proposals for a a Tourism BID are to be discussed at the 2019 Moray Speyside Tourism Annual Conference which will take place on the 8 November at Elgin Town Hall.
Delegates will hear from a range of industry speakers and will also have the opportunity to network with industry colleagues.
Last year tourism was worth £130 million to the Moray economy, with the region welcoming almost 800,000 visitors who supported more than 2,800 local jobs.
A Business Improvement District would more than double the amount of funding available to invest in tourism in Moray Speyside Tourism to around a million pounds over a five year period. Similar schemes elsewhere have significantly boosted visitor numbers.
