What is being done to attract visitors to the Western Isles, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands and whether specific regard is being given…

The Western Isles, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands are marketed by their respective Area Tourist Boards. They also benefit from the generic marketing carried out by VisitScotland and by the British Tourist Authority.The level of air fares on routes to the Western and North Isles is a commercial matter for airlines. The Scottish Executive is, however, committed to the maintenance of affordable links to islands communities. Our subsidy to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd results in lower costs to airlines than if the full economic costs were applied. In addition, the Glasgow-Barra air service and some inter-island routes within the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland are already subsidised by the Executive. These measures benefit tourists.