This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Tourism changes in Dundee and Angus
12/01/2007
Dundee City and Angus Councils have decided to reduce their funding to support local tourism through the VisitScotland network.
The reduction in funding from both local authorities totals £167,000 for 2006-07. Dundee City Council has also specified that all of its funding for 2006-07 must be allocated to business tourism only, resulting in resources being diverted from leisure tourism in the area.
Tourism Minister Patricia Ferguson said she was 'disappointed' and that the result was that VisitScotland was left with no option but to reduce costs.
VisitScotland is arranging:
• some redeployment of network office management staff
• a reduction in office space
• merging local tourist brochures
Tourism Minister Patricia Ferguson said:
"It is vital that local authorities and VisitScotland work together to support tourism and ensure the best possible service for each area. That must include funding from local authorities to VisitScotland.
"I am very disappointed that Dundee City and Angus Councils have taken this decision to reduce funding to VisitScotland leaving them with no option but to reduce services in the local area.
"This sends out the wrong signal to the industry and I would urge both authorities to give this decision further consideration and work with VisitScotland to resolve the situation."
The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 prohibits local authorities from marketing their area for leisure tourism purposes and from providing information and booking services for leisure tourism. It is not therefore possible for a local authority to take leisure tourism marketing and information provision in-house.