By Graeme Strachan and Gary Cooper

TOURISM FUNDING cuts could mean small businesses in Dundee and Angus will not have a fair crack of the whip when golf’s Open Championship takes place at Carnoustie in July.

Seasonal tourist information centres (TICs) in Angus could be victims of downsizing in the coming year due to funding cuts.

Charles Goodall, chairman of the Dundee and Angus branch of the Federation Of Small Businesses, warned the loss of local knowledge could have grave consequences for the industry.

“The result of this reduction in funding will mean the closure of the seasonal TICs at Carnoustie, Forfar, Kirriemuir and Montrose,” said Mr Goodall.

“I cannot believe this is happening, especially in the very year The Open returns to Carnoustie.

“Closing the TICs would be a step in the wrong direction and the one in Carnoustie, for example, does a good job in furnishing visitors with information on our top local attractions.

“This year we will not even have a local TIC open to cope with all the inquiries.

“Probably at best we can expect that these inquiries will be answered by someone in a call centre based goodness only knows where.”

He said directions for major attractions like Glamis Castle would be available, but more detail like restaurants are “where problems might arise.”

He added, “Small businesses will lose out because of a loss of local knowledge on the ground.”

According to agency VisitScotland, no decision has been made on whether to open the town’s seasonal tourist information centre until the level of core funding for the financial year 2007/2008 has been agreed.

Angus Council’s infrastructure services chief Eric Lowson is recommending the council contribute £91,000 to the lead tourism body for 2006-2007—down from £158,000.

The £91,000 includes £42,000 to support TICs and aid the transition from the old board to the new set-up.

The allocation is subject to VisitScotland agreeing a 10-year lease for the new tourist office being created as part of the Arbroath Harbour visitor centre.

The information bureau is being provided at the centre under a commitment by the former Angus and Dundee Tourist Board to relocate the one at Market Place through a long-term lease.

European cash and funding from Scottish Enterprise Tayside was granted on condition the outlet would be at the harbour.

Mr Lowson explained VisitScotland, which earlier re-affirmed the commitment of its predecessor, has said it is willing to sign a lease.

But it must have the option to pull out without penalty if council funding falls below 50%, with its operating cost estimated at £66,000 for 2007-2008.

Mr Lowson said it is unacceptable and warned no council funding will be given “unless the original lease commitment made is adhered to.”

A spokesman for Dundee City Council said they have agreed an outline with VisitScotland of what this year’s contribution will be and a report will be go to councillors on February 12.

Mr Goodall said, “I would be very interested to know if Dundee City Council and Angus Council already have plans in place to support the local tourist industry themselves, or to give an indication of how they are going to invest the funds they will not be using to support VisitScotland this year.

“I was always very concerned when the local area tourist boards were disbanded for the creation of VisitScotland, an organisation that has cost the Scottish taxpayer a huge amount of money over the past few years but which seems to have done little to increase tourism in Scotland, especially for the more rural areas.

“When the golf was last in Carnoustie in 1999 the local TIC was open for 18 months prior to the event.”

Mr Goodall asks supporters to Email charles411411 @fsbdial.co.uk or call 01241 411070.

VisitScotland pledged a major presence at The Open regardless of whether the TIC is open.

“Visitor information will be available at The Open itself via stands at the heart of the event,” said a spokeswoman.

“We’ve made a significant financial expenditure on marketing and it’s a massive campaign that’s ongoing.”