Preparation is key to safeguarding Fife’s tourism businesses

Preparing ourselves now for what lies ahead is key to ensuring a positive outcome for the tourism economy in Fife – and across Scotland as a whole – according to Fife Council’s tourism spokesman.

Councillor Ian Cameron, chairman of the Heartlands of Fife Local Tourism Association and tourism spokesman for the council, is urging those within the industry to work together now to create a contingency plan for when life can begin getting back to normal after the lockdown restrictions are lifted.

He said: “Urgently we need a decision from the Scottish Government on a safe way forward for different businesses to trade as the lockdown is phased down.

“How do they operate within the parameters of social distancing. How is this determined and how is it authorised. Now is the time to move forward in preparedness - let’s get the protocols in place.

“There are trade associations that have published some very good tips and advice and working together, and in partnership with local and national governments, a set of accepted procedures could be determined for different phases of relaxation of the lockdown for different organisations, large and small, and processes. Everyone must be clear on this as we can’t afford to get it wrong.”

His comments come as those in the industry are dealing with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on their businesses at what is possibly the worst time for them – the start of the main tourist season.

Cllr Cameron said: “Tourism is one of the hardest hit sectors in Fife. The Gross Value added to the Fife economy from tourism is £566m and it accounts for over 11,500 full time equivalents - nine per cent of our total jobs. It is essential then that this capacity is maintained as fully as possible.”

He said government support such as the Small Business Rate Relief Grant, the grant for retail hospitality and leisure businesses and the help available for employee costs are welcome, but for many it’s not enough.

“Unfortunately there are businesses that have invested heavily in their business – that would under normal circumstances be successful and generate income and employment – that fall outwith such thresholds,” he explained.

“Over £20 million has already been disbursed which is testimony to how flexible and efficient Fife Council have been in the process.

“What is needed is a local business support fund which can be managed at the discretion of the local authority and be used to maintain the capacity of key sectors, such as tourism, and catch those key businesses that fall between stools.

“Businesses will have undoubtedly ceased trading throughout Fife already and many more will have shed jobs – particularly those involved with food, drink and retail.

“As cash flow continues to be constrained then debt will build within the sector. Even if you get an interest free loan it still has to be repaid and on a revenue stream that is likely to be much reduced.

“Fife tourism is working in the framework set out by Visit Scotland - Dream Now travel later, Keep Scotland top of mind. The Fife Tourism version is getting businesses fully accessible and ready with toolkits and products that they can quickly use to attract visitors.

“Our video #LoveFifeLater has had tens of thousands of views already and with the Pilgrim Way, and the new driving tour Fife 191 there is plenty to experience as we move forward. LTAs have demonstrated that organisations working together is a successful formula for Fife. Such collaboration will be needed more and more if we are to continue to enhance the visitor experience with an undoubtedly lessened capability and smaller market.”

Marc Crothall, chief executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, said: “When the industry does reopen we’ll have to do it in a controlled way to allow every business when they reopen to make enough money and be sustainable. But we have to wait for government and medical guidance before we can do that.

“I do think we’ll lose more than one or two and many of them are going to be working in a new normal. There will be expectations of how a business needs to operate, not just to give consumer and visitor confidence but also the workforce as well.

“There are lots of different things that are under discussion as part of the recovery planning. One thing we’ll take heart from is that 70 per cent of visitors in Scotland are from the domestic market.”

Caroline Warburton, regional leadership director at VisitScotland said the industry has been “completely devastated” by the pandemic.

She said: “We know that this is an extremely difficult time for businesses and individuals across Scotland - impacting on jobs, people’s wellbeing and future investment - and we continue to offer advice and support to those affected.

“We do not know how long this unprecedented situation will last and it is too early to say what the sector will look like in the coming months, but we have a resilient industry in Scotland, sustaining many communities, and we believe tourism will be a key part of the economic recovery. We’re already building a plan to stimulate that recovery which will be implemented as soon as things improve, and visitors can start travelling again.

“What I have been hugely impressed by is the number of businesses that have shown amazing spirit during this incredibly challenging time to help their customers and communities.

“I’ve seen Lindores Abbey and Tayport Distilleries offering virtual distillery tours, Dunfermline Great Places project offering a weekly Dunfermline quiz, together with their online tours of the town, and farm shops across Fife delivering the best in local food and drink.”

For Garry Clark, development manager for the Federation of Small Businesses East of Scotland, the lockdown has altered the picture of the traditional Scottish tourist season “beyond recognition” for businesses.

He said: “As lockdown and social distancing continues, the damage to these businesses grows, despite the government support measures on offer.

“When we do emerge from lockdown, it is as yet unclear how this will be staged and it will be no easy task to make up for the loss of a large part of the tourist season and to adapt to the ‘new normal’, whatever that may look like.

“Tourist attitudes to travel and socialising are bound to be affected and that will provide challenges that will need to be overcome. New opportunities will emerge but creative solutions need to be considered to compensate for a damaged 2020 season if tourism businesses are to prosper as we eventually emerge from this pandemic.”