Beyond the obvious benefits of attracting visitors to Ayrshire to enjoy time and spend here, a thriving visitor economy can help sustain communities, bring people together, provide a global platform for culture and heritage, support health and wellbeing, attract skilled workers, revitalise high streets and attract inward investment.
The COVID pandemic showed us, in extraordinary ways, what is lost when the visitor economy doesn’t get to perform to its full potential. At the same time, trends in tourism behaviour that were accelerated during the pandemic have confirmed that we can offer what so many visitors are looking for -restorative breaks in nature, space to explore on land and sea, and a warm and friendly welcome as a short or long-term member of our communities.
The Ayrshire and our Islands Visitor Economy strategy was developed based on the findings of an evidence review, analysis of global benchmarks, industry consultations, a youth/ student workshop carried out in late 2021, and input from the members of the Ayrshire Visitor Economy Steering Group (now the Ayrshire and Arran Visitor Economy Leadership Group, AAVELG) during the period January-April 2022.
Taking the lead from the national tourism strategy Scotland Outlook 2030 Responsible Tourism for a Sustainable Future, this strategy places the wellbeing of our people and the environment at the heart of everything we do.