Maximising tourist numbers remains a key objective for Perth and Kinross Council and this week councillors will debate the basis for a new partnership agreement with VisitScotland.
Since 2008/09 the council has had an agreement with VisitScotland which aims to maximise the number of tourists who come to the area and the amount of revenue generated by those visitors. The agreement is reviewed annually.
Members of the enterprise and infrastructure committee will be asked on Wednesday to approve £165,000 of funding to support the organisation’s information services to visitors over the next 12 months.
This money will be used to support visitor information centres (VICs) in Aberfeldy, Blairgowrie, Crieff, Dunkeld, Perth and Pitlochry, and the management of tourist information points at Kinross, Kenmore and Blackford.
The report to the committee says that according to 2010 calculations the total additional visitor expenditure generated by visits to VICs in Perth and Kinross by promoting local attractions, hospitality and other businesses to visitors, was £1,746,000.
VisitScotland figures included in the report say that footfall across local VICs was down over the last 12 months but that is reflected in VICs across the country as more people turn to the internet for route planning and information on attractions. Accommodation bookings for local hotels and B&Bs remained level.
As part of the agreement VisitScotland will report to the council on performance indicators such as visitor footfall, accommodation bookings, bed nights generated, economic impact and return on investment.
Committee convener Councillor John Kellas said, “The VIC and tourist information point network remains a resource which is valued by visitors to our area and generates additional expenditure, despite the recent reduction in footfall.
“Tourism is a major driver of our local economy here in Perth and Kinross.
“It is very important that visitors to Perth and Kinross are aware of the huge range of activities, places of interest and accommodation choices which our area offers.”