VisitScotland overhaul 'will damage Capital'

A NEW shake-up of Scotland's main tourism agency will risk damaging the Capital's money-spinning industry, city leaders have warned.

Council chiefs have condemned a planned overhaul of VisitScotland amid fears efforts to promote the city will be sidelined.

VisitScotland Edinburgh and Lothians - set up just two years ago - is set to be scrapped and replaced by a new regional authority covering an area including Fife, Stirling, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire and Loch Lomond.

The Scottish Government has ordered the move to tie in with a reorganisation of Scottish Enterprise's local enterprise companies.

However, the latest reorganisation has triggered fresh concerns from within the council about the value for money it will get from its annual £650,000 grant for VisitScotland.

Senior council officials believe the city would be better served by an independent tourism and marketing body, similar to ones that exist in Glasgow and London.

A new report by the council said action needed to be taken to help boost tourism in the city if it was to remain at the forefront of a "highly competitive marketplace".

City development director Andrew Holmes said: "Tourism is Edinburgh's shop window to the world. However, more co-ordination of tourism and city promotion is needed to market the city as a key destination. There are key funding, promotion and infrastructure issues which must be addressed if the city is to maintain its competitive position.

"In light of the recent announcement of changes to the Scottish Enterprise network and VisitScotland, our staff will begin discussions with these organisations to establish the implications for Edinburgh. We have a real concern that the strength of Edinburgh's tourism promotion may be diluted by this new wider approach."

The council revealed today that it had ordered a major review of how the city is currently promoted.

Details of an action plan are expected to be announced later this year but are expected to include a breakaway organisation from VisitScotland.

A senior council insider said: "It has been a mistake for Edinburgh not to have its own dedicated marketing body. The council is reviewing its input into VisitScotland as there are real concerns over the value for money the city is getting."

Ron Hewitt, chief executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: "We've argued for some time now about the need for an independent marketing organisation for the city."

A VisitScotland spokeswoman said: "The proposed changes are about improving the way we work with local authorities and other agencies. By working even more effectively we can offer better support to local tourism businesses and focus more of our efforts on helping the industry."