If we want tourism to grow, Alan Rankin argues, we'll have to make it easier to get around
Scottish tourism is dependent on the car. 68% of all trips to Scotland by UK visitors is by car. Train, coach, bus and air account for 28%. An estimated 78million night stays in 2005 racks up a huge amount of actual trips within Scotland. Tourism contributes over £4.5bn to the economy, employees 210,000 people in over 20,000 businesses; it is Scotland's most important and most sustainable industry.
The facts are that we have an infrastructure that is not yet fit for purpose to support and contribute to the planned 10 year 50% growth in tourism. For generations, politicians have concentrated on health and education and it is only now that transport is being given the priority it deserves.
There are a number of high profile projects afoot: Edinburgh trams, Glasgow Airport Link, the Edinburgh Airport Link, revamp of Waverley, completion of M74, Border rail, Airdrie-Bathgate, the national concessionary travel scheme, Aberdeen western peripheral and large payments to reduce road maintenance backlogs. Alongside that, continued support for the North Sea ferry and the air Route Development Fund (RDF).
So what are the priorities to support 50% growth in tourism? For sure they are different demands between the commuter and the tourist; some do overlap but not all. Is it a new Forth bridge or dueling of the A9? We have a RDF that assists new direct flights into Scotland and given that improved access will bring more tourists should we be looking at an access development fund that takes in not just air but rail, road and car borne routes into Scotland? An improvement of rolling stock is essential to temp tourists to share cramped commuter trains that offer little or no luggage space.
A maglev rail link with London that will deliver visitors from London to the fresh air of Scotland in less than two hours- now that would grow tourism but you can forget the rest of the developments which are predominately commuter orientated and commuters elect politicians.
Technology is moving apace with transport providers introducing smartcard equipment on bus fleets and national multi-modal integrated ticketing is around the corner. Train services are improving and responding to seasonal and consumer demand as witnessed by the recent 'festival specials'.
So what is holding back tourism growth in Scotland? - Access.
Alan Rankin is the chief executive of the Scottish Tourism Forum
