YOU can't help feeling sorry for tourists at this time of year. Lured by promises of cracking Hogmanay parties and dazzling fireworks displays, they spend hundreds and sometimes even thousands of pounds on New Year breaks in Scotland.
When it comes to New Year's Eve, few are disappointed. Despite locals' moans about how "we used to be able to watch the fireworks for free", most tourists remain enthusiastic about the atmosphere in Scotland's towns and cities on December 31. The Sco
ts still top the charts when it comes to having a good time.
But once dawn breaks on New Year's Day, it's a different story. While the natives use the first few days of January to sleep off hangovers in the warmth of their homes, tourists are literally left out in the cold. Edinburgh, for example, all but shuts down at the beginning of the New Year.
Tourists are left to walk a chilly Royal Mile, peering through closed shop windows as most attractions, shops and restaurants don't bother to reopen their doors until January 3 at the earliest.
With freezing temperatures, rain and sometimes snow to contend with, it's enough to put some tourists, especially those from sunnier climes, off for life.
It's an issue that the Scottish Parliament's economy, energy and tourism committee needs to take into account when it starts hearings on Scotland's ambitious tourism goals later this month. The Government wants to double tourism revenue within the next seven years but that ambition is going to be difficult to achieve if basic services can't be offered even around one of the biggest tourist events of the year.
Of course most cities in most countries operate at a reduced pace after large New Year's Eve celebrations but in recent years some governments and businesses have begun to understand that when it comes to keeping tourists entertained and spending money, some effort needs to go into the after-party as well.
It was difficult enough to find a pint of milk in Edinburgh on January 1, let alone a full day's entertainment and meals.
When tourists are left with no choice other than to while away time in their hotel lobby, it certainly doesn't leave them with the impression of a booming, lively country to which they should return again and again.
Good intentions not enough
A NEW breed of small businesses is expected to take Scotland by storm this year. According to experts, a significant number of Scottish charities are planning to set up "social enterprises" over the next 12 months – private businesses with social, environmental or ethical objectives.
The concept has been around for a while – the Fairtrade drinks company CafeDirect and Jamie Oliver's Fifteen restaurant chain are among the most successful examples.
But as both the Government and members of the public are expected to tighten their purse strings over the course of 2008, it's an option more charitable organisations are turning to in order to generate income that can be reinvested in services.
Although some people still find the concept of social business models difficult to get their heads around, now is as good a time as any for social enterprises to make their mark, given that issues such as climate change, disadvantage and ethics are now mainstream concerns. But like all other start-up companies, they have to think carefully about what it is they will offer to the marketplace and what will make their particular service or product sell.
With the credit crunch on our doorstep, it's not enough to say your business works for the good of society. You have to make the product or the service right as well.
The full article contains 619 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
