Funding boost to help key Fife tourism organisations

Tourism organisations Fife badly hit by the coronavirus are poised for a share of a £500,000 support package offered by VisitScotland.

A total of 81 membership organisations have been successful in applying for the Tourism Destination and Sector Support Fund, which was launched by Visit Scotland last month.

In Fife, the funding is going to Fife Golf Partnership; Food from Fife; Stay in St Andrews; Tourism St Andrews; Visit East Neuk; Cruise Forth.

The one-off fund was created in response to the devasting impact of the pandemic on Scottish tourism and was open to all destination and sector groups that have a membership base made up of entirely, or predominantly, tourism businesses.

A total of 98 applications were received requesting a total of £1.6 million.

The fund was originally set at £400,000 but was increased to £500,000 due to the volume of requests.

Successful applicants could be awarded up to 50 per cent of their membership income under threat due to coronavirus.

Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, said: “We have a long way to go but this funding package will be a welcome boost for destination management organisations and sector groups. It will enable them to keep working with VisitScotland, tourism businesses and local communities to build a strong and safe recovery, welcoming visitors again in phase three of the route map.” 

Riddell Graham, director of industry and destination development at VisitScotland, said: “The Coronavirus pandemic has had a devasting impact on the Scottish tourism industry and this funding package for destination organisations and sector groups will hopefully go some way towards supporting them through this challenging time.

“We are pleased to have been able to increase our original funding pot to enable us to provide some funding for all eligible applicants. Even then it is unsurprising that the number of applications has been in excess of what is available and as such difficult decisions have had to be taken.

“Recovery will require our collective efforts and this fund represents a great opportunity to enable a collaborative approach to meet the massive challenges set by the pandemic and ensure the best possible outcomes for the whole of the visitor economy.”

Debbie MacCallum, Chair of Tourism St Andrews, which was among the successful applicants, said: “TThis funding will enable us to work with local businesses and the local community to begin to address the challenges facing everyone as lockdown restrictions are lifted. St Andrews is hugely important to the Fife economy as it accounts for a third of all tourism revenue in Fife as well as delivering I in 5 tourism related jobs.

“It is vital that the town is supported in its quest to be as clean and safe as possible for both its visitors, students and residents. This funding will go towards a Stay Safe St Andrews initiative. This unique town wide approach is vital in ensuring we have a viable ‘new normal’ for everyone.”

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Allan Crow, Editor, Fife Free Press