VisitScotland Announces Support Package for Tourism Destination and Sector Organisations Across Scotland

VisitScotland today, Thursday 7 May 2020, launched the Tourism Destination and Sector Support Fund which will provide financial help to tourism destination and sector organisations across Scotland who have lost income from membership subscriptions from tourism businesses because of the Coronavirus lockdown.The fund, which will be a one-off programme, will be open to all groups that have a membership base made up of entirely or predominantly tourism businesses and will award up to 50% of membership income that is under threat due to Coronavirus. 

Over £400,000 will be available to applicants and interested groups can apply for the fund by completing a simple form. Full details on the fund’s guidelines and application form are available at: https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/funding/coronavirus-dmo-fund

Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland said: “VisitScotland was keen to develop a funding package for destination organisations and sector groups as a way of supporting them through what has been the most challenging period the tourism industry has ever faced. Many organisations are facing significant challenges in terms of financial viability and that is particularly the case for those entirely or predominantly reliant on membership subscriptions provided by tourism businesses. 

“As an organisation, we already work closely with these groups and we’d like to continue to do so as we move from the response stage of this crisis onto what we are calling the Reset, Restart and Recovery stages.

“The Fund is a way for us to lead the way and help our tourism colleagues around the country not only on a financial level but also to continue to work together to help deliver a tourism strategy to help rebuild what is a vital part of the Scottish economy.” 

Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Tourism said, “I am very pleased to welcome this new source of support being launched today by VisitScotland.  Scotland’s tourism sector has been devastated by the impact of Coronavirus and it is vital that our destination organisations survive to support a safe and strong recovery for this important economic sector.”  

For full details on the fund and the criteria, visit: https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/funding/coronavirus-dmo-fund