Written Question · S4W-13018 · Session 4
What progress has been made by the forum that it established to promote cycling tourism and when its action plan will be published.
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made by the forum that it established to promote cycling tourism and when its action plan will be published.
The answer
A scoping meeting for the establishment of a forum was held in April 2010 after stakeholders highlighted in Cycling Scotland’s Best Value Review that there was a need for greater coordination in cycle tourism. Cycling Scotland then went onto establish the forum with a number of partners. The forum was previously chaired by Cycling Scotland, but since September 2012 has been chaired by Cyclists’ Touring Club Scotland.
A Memorandum of Understanding was developed and the four key areas of focus for the forum were set out as follows:
Improve communication and collaboration between stakeholders and the industry with a shared vision to develop and promote cycle tourism in Scotland;
Co-ordinate research activity to improve a shared understanding of the target markets;
Co-ordinate marketing efforts to maximise opportunities to raise awareness and grow the value of cycle tourism; and
Develop the cycling product and encourage best practice by making the most of Scotland’s cycling assets and establishing Scotland as a must visit, must return cycling destination.
Funding from Sustrans and Cycling Scotland was secured for a project manager to work two days a month to progress activity. Meetings of the forum have, on average, been held quarterly in locations in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth.
VisitScotland has been engaged to specifically improve the product content in tourism information and campaign activity. The forum has commented on and contributed to the VisitScotland Active Guide (a national publication). The forum is also working closely with VisitScotland to develop the cycle route content on visitscotland.com. The forum is engaging with local authorities to invite them to input the routes in their areas on to this site. This is happening in a phased approach and has so far included liaising with Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Scottish Borders, East Lothian, Fife, Dundee, Angus, Perthshire and Highland Councils. The intention is that route information in guides and online will also be used in specific campaign activity both nationally and regionally.
Initial research into the status of cycle tourism in Scotland was conducted by the forum, which identified gaps in knowledge. Further funding was secured from Sustrans for a piece of research into the economic value of cycle tourism by Transform Scotland. This report, which includes a number of recommendations, is due to be launched in April 2013. A workshop for the forum took place at the end of February 2013 to develop a Strategic Action Plan based on findings of the report. The Action Plan will be published shortly.
The forum is also working closely with the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) as cycling is part of the Nature, Heritage and Activities asset working group. The forum has shared the research findings with the STA and is liaising with them on forming priority actions for this sector.
A Memorandum of Understanding was developed and the four key areas of focus for the forum were set out as follows:
Improve communication and collaboration between stakeholders and the industry with a shared vision to develop and promote cycle tourism in Scotland;
Co-ordinate research activity to improve a shared understanding of the target markets;
Co-ordinate marketing efforts to maximise opportunities to raise awareness and grow the value of cycle tourism; and
Develop the cycling product and encourage best practice by making the most of Scotland’s cycling assets and establishing Scotland as a must visit, must return cycling destination.
Funding from Sustrans and Cycling Scotland was secured for a project manager to work two days a month to progress activity. Meetings of the forum have, on average, been held quarterly in locations in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth.
VisitScotland has been engaged to specifically improve the product content in tourism information and campaign activity. The forum has commented on and contributed to the VisitScotland Active Guide (a national publication). The forum is also working closely with VisitScotland to develop the cycle route content on visitscotland.com. The forum is engaging with local authorities to invite them to input the routes in their areas on to this site. This is happening in a phased approach and has so far included liaising with Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Scottish Borders, East Lothian, Fife, Dundee, Angus, Perthshire and Highland Councils. The intention is that route information in guides and online will also be used in specific campaign activity both nationally and regionally.
Initial research into the status of cycle tourism in Scotland was conducted by the forum, which identified gaps in knowledge. Further funding was secured from Sustrans for a piece of research into the economic value of cycle tourism by Transform Scotland. This report, which includes a number of recommendations, is due to be launched in April 2013. A workshop for the forum took place at the end of February 2013 to develop a Strategic Action Plan based on findings of the report. The Action Plan will be published shortly.
The forum is also working closely with the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) as cycling is part of the Nature, Heritage and Activities asset working group. The forum has shared the research findings with the STA and is liaising with them on forming priority actions for this sector.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S4W-13018 by reference.