Tourism & Hospitality Sector - Challenges & Solutions

Join our next virtual event on Tuesday 31 August on Tourism & Hospitality Sector - Challenges & Solutions

Do you have visitors accessing your land or estate, or do you operate a tourism or hospitality business?  Then our free live webinar on Tuesday 31 August from 10am to 11.30am is a must attend!

We have a great panel of speakers lined up to share their knowledge, guidance and expertise, with plenty of time and opportunity to ask them questions.

Speakers:

Sir Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands Region will share his thoughts and motivations which have prompted him to table a Parliamentary Motion for a reassessment of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC). 

Pete Crane from the Cairngorms National Park Authority will talk about the range of visitor management challenges they and land managers in the National Park have faced recently and how they are working to resolved them.

Fiona Campbell, Chief Executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) will bring you up to speed on the latest situation regarding the Scottish Government’s proposed Short Term Lets Licensing Order and what the key concerns are for rural businesses.

Jordan Hewitt, VisitScotland’s Head of Brand and Content will share with you the changing dynamics and audiences visiting Scotland and VisitScotland’s role over the past 18 months delivering key responsible tourism messages on how to explore Scotland responsibly.

Other specialists available to answer questions during the Q&A session will be:
Police Scotland’s National Rural Crime Co-ordinator, Inspector Alan Dron 

NatureScot’s Recreation and Access Manager, Mark Wrightman

 

Agenda

• Welcome & Introductions
• Sir Edward Mountain: The drivers and objectives for a Scottish Governmental reassessment of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code since its introduction
• Pete Crane: The challenges and management of visitors in the outdoors, and possible solutions to encourage responsible behaviour
• Fiona Campbell: An overview of the proposed short term lets legislation, its impact upon rural businesses, alternative proposals and the importance of industry affiliations
• Jordan Hewitt: The changing dynamics and audiences visiting Scotland and how responsible tourism messages can educate new tourism audiences
• Q&A

This event is an exceptional opportunity to hear the latest information and developments from experts in their field, and your chance to ask them questions. The occasion will ensure you are better informed and up-to-date with current issues and how visitor management and tourism challenges might be shaped in the future.  

 

Simon Ovenden, Policy Adviser, Access & Visitor Management, SLE

Simon is SLE's Access & Visitor Management Policy Adviser.  Simon joined SLE from the Crown Estate, where he was Countryside Manager for the Glenlivet Estate with responsibility for advising a team of estate staff on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and managing a wide range of visitor access facilities and services.  Simon also previously worked for the National Trust for Scotland.

 

Fiona Campbell, Chief Executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers

Fiona was appointed as the ASSC’s first Chief Executive in February 2015. She was charged with growing the Association, recruiting new Members, and ensuring that member benefits are as comprehensive and valuable as possible.

In an ever-changing tourism landscape and as more and more legislation, regulations and business expenses appear on the horizon, the ASSC finds itself increasingly politically engaged on a national and European level.

Fiona works with key industry groups and stakeholders to support the representation that puts the ASSC at the forefront of the Scottish Tourism industry. 

Fiona has operated two holiday homes overlooking Loch Long, Argyll for the last 19 years.

 

Jordan Hewitt, Head of Brand & Content, VisitScotland

Jordan has been in the tourism industry for nearly 15 years, most recently joining VisitScotland to lead their Brand and Content department. For the past 10 years Jordan has worked in the Airline Industry leading marketing teams at Etihad Airways and British Airways, most recently leading the COVID-19 global response for Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. Prior to this Jordan worked in New York and London for VisitBritain working in a variety of Marketing and partnerships roles.

 

Edward Mountain, MSP

Edward Mountain is a Member of the Scottish Parliament for Highlands and Islands Region (Scottish Conservative). He is one of the seven regional MSPs for the Highlands and Islands Region having been re-elected on 6 May 2021. Edward’s area of interests includes health care provision in the Highlands, improving infrastructure, and renewing the Highland school estate. Edward also supports a strong local economy and is passionate about agriculture and fisheries.

 

Pete Crane, Head of Vistor Services, Cairngorms National Park Authority

Head of Visitor Services for Cairngorms National Park Authority managing a team, including rangers and access officers, working with partners across the National Park to ensure that visitors have safe, enjoyable and responsible experiences in this stunning area.