Visitors to St Andrews could be able to make a direct cash donation to the town from next year.
This is being investigated by the charitable organisation charged with promoting and improving the town.
It has opened a vacancy for a consultant to work within the group, over a period of several months, to assess the workings and possible development of a “visitor payback scheme.”
Already in place in other UK tourist spots, such as Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, the project would allow pledges to be made at drop-off points, likely to be businesses, to then be paid into a central investment pot for the town.
News of the project comes only weeks after the partnership warned it could be forced to scale back its operations if vital funds are not secured for next year.
Patrick Laughlin, partnership manager, told The Courier about the scheme.
“It’s a way for visitors to show their appreciation of the town,” he said.
“This is a scheme which is already being used in many other parts, but could it work in St Andrews? Well that is what we need to find out and that is why we need a consultant.
“We don’t want them to provide us with a study but to actually scope out businesses around the town and gauge their appetite towards it.
“If it did go ahead, the funds would be carefully managed and used to improve the environment.”
St Andrews is recognised as an important visitor destination in Scotland and as a major Fife attraction.
The town accounts for about 27% of Fife’s visitors.
“Close on one million people visit here each year,” Mr Laughlin added.
“Just imagine if they all donated 20p. That would be a fantastic sum from us to spend locally.”
The partnership has agreed to work with the area’s tourism and hospitality businesses to build long-term funding streams.
Since its November launch the partnership has generated over £100,000 of finance, largely through the public purse including Fife Council, VisitScotland and Scottish Enterprise.
With the UK Government expected to announce major cuts in the public sector, its life-blood may run dry.
The partnership last month said it was facing a funding shortfall but could not say by how much.
“It’s hard, there is no easy solution to raising cash,” Mr Laughlin added.
“Businesses are going through a hard enough time at the minute with VAT and rates and we don’t want to keep going back to them.
“And we don’t want to start charging memberships.
“This is one of many schemes we are looking at to help raise funds to make St Andrews an even more enjoyable place to live and work.”