Three Moray Speyside organisations are among a number of destination and sector tourism groups across Scotland impacted by the coronavirus pandemic which are set to receive a share in a £500,000 support package offered by VisitScotland.
A total of 81 membership organisations have been successful in applying for the Tourism Destination and Sector Support Fund, which was launched by the national tourism organisation last month. In Moray Speyside, these included Visit Moray Speyside, NE250 and Cullen Voluntary Tourism Initiative.
Those successful applicants across Scotland represent in excess of 10,000 tourism businesses and have been awarded grants to support their survival and ensure they are able to continue working with VisitScotland in the weeks and months ahead.
Laurie Piper, CEO of Visit Moray Speyside, Scotland’s newest tourism BID, said: “The funding award from VisitScotland will enable Visit Moray Speyside to increase the resources targeted at supporting the tourism businesses across our region, helping them to recover and our region’s tourism industry to re-set and rebuild.”
Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Fergus Ewing, said: “The coronavirus pandemic has been devastating for Scotland’s tourism sector. Throughout, I have been engaging with businesses and listening to concerns to explore how we can best help them navigate this unprecedented crisis.
“We have a long way to go but this funding package will be a welcome boost for destination management organisations and sector groups. It will enable them to keep working with VisitScotland, tourism businesses and local communities to build a strong and safe recovery, welcoming visitors again in Phase 3 of the route map.”
Riddell Graham, Director of Industry & Destination Development at VisitScotland, said: “The Coronavirus pandemic has had a devasting impact on the Scottish tourism industry and this funding package for destination organisations and sector groups will hopefully go some way towards supporting them through this challenging time.