Tourism and Visitor

The tourism and visitor market in Scotland has faced very challenging times recently, from the global effects of the recession and the ‘ash cloud’ to the emerging public sector cuts which will create pressures on public sector funding. Scotland enjoys an enviable reputation as a world-class visitor destination, but ever-increasing international competition and economic pressures will mean that the tourism and visitor businesses will have to be more effective and explore new funding models to deliver on the ever increasing demands of the tourism and visitor customer.

'It's a troublingly familiar story; faced with funding tourism marketing or cutting services, local governments reduce or eliminate tourism funding – leaving DMOs scrambling to fill the funding gap.   In the wake of funding cuts, many DMOs are looking inward, towards industry-driven marketing funds that won't be subjected to governmental budget reductions. In many destinations a new kind of funding mechanism, the tourism improvement district, is being used to fill the gap'.

Originally published by the Destination Marketing Association International, reprinted with permission. November 15, 2010

A TBID (Tourism Business Improvement District) is a sustainable financial model that can provide the financial resource to assist tourism and visitor businesses, working and investing collectively, with the delivery of projects that will make an impact and improve their business environment. A TBID also gives businesses a local voice and a ‘seat at the table’ with those agencies and bodies who help shape the tourism and visitor industry in Scotland, whilst also helping to develop and improve the level of service provided by statutory and non statutory bodies.

A TBID could be developed across a group of businesses involved in a Destination Management Organisation or tourism and visitor area who wish to secure their financial base and ensure that all who benefit also contribute. A TBID gives local tourism businesses a voice and a financial stake in the future direction of tourism and visitor market in their area.

Working and investing collectively ensures that budgets work harder and smarter. An essential requirement in a tough economic climate and restricted public sector finance. A TBID ensures that everyone that benefits also contributes, a true partnership of the public and private sectors.

Business Improvement Districts Scotland provide information and support to allow you to develop and operate a TBID, resolving issues and concerns locally, locally accountable and locally managed. 

The Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism Jim Mather MSP

'The message is out that BIDs are moving. We need to gear up to work with the Project Director of Business Improvement Districts Scotland, to broadcast the fact that the process is working, and if more business districts work together to improve themselves, we will take it even further. I want BIDs to boost the local economy, create more employment, create a feel-good factor, reinvent civic pride and trust locally and boost tourism. I also want them to boost mentoring, with people helping other businesses to come forward'.

Scottish Parliament Wednesday 23rd April 2008

'To achieve the target of tourism growth of 50% by the year 2015, it is crucial that businesses work together to improve the product on offer to the visitor. VisitScotland has identified that businesses who work together in their local area not only bring physical benefits to the tourism offering but also bring in significant financial benefits to the area. This business strategy (a BID) helps businesses to do this and undoubtedly can help to reinforce the reputation Scotland has as a safe, clean and environmentally friendly destination’.

Barbara Clark

Head of Communications

for VisitScotland

For more information on how the TBID sustainable financial model can help your tourism and visitor area please contact Ian Davison Porter Project Director BIDS