Perthshire could miss a once-in-a-lifetime tourism boom if cuts to its services are not abandoned, it has been warned.
National tourism agency VisitScotland has been urged to rethink future plans for its visitor services, as the region prepares for one of the biggest years in its history.
Huge sums are to be invested in tourism this year to capitalise on events such as the Ryder Cup, Homecoming and the Commonwealth Games.
This could see VisitScotland join forces with Perth and Kinross Council to create a new visitor centre in the Fair City’s heart. The move would give central Perth a tourist office for the first time in more than a decade.
However, delight over that news has been tempered by a threat to other services.
The agency is likely to continue with the reorganisation of it visitor information centres and The Courier understands Crieff’s Visitor Information Centre (VIC) will close its doors in 2015.
And now there are fears the potential legacy of 2014 will be wasted.
Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith says the centre must remain in place to cater for the visitors the events televised to an audience of hundreds of millions could attract to Perth and Kinross.
Tourism remains one of the region’s key industries and biggest employers, supporting a wealth of businesses and activities.
Ms Smith said she would now be seeking an urgent meeting with tourism minister Fergus Ewing to discuss the issue.
She told The Courier: “It is quite frankly astonishing that we could see the closure of the tourist information centre in Crieff following a year that is potentially going to be the biggest year for Scottish tourism in Strathearn, with Scotland hosting the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
“Tourism is at the heart of the local economy, both in Strathearn and across Perthshire.
“The Crieff tourist information centre has recently seen investment with new external rebranding which, if it is closed, will have been a total waste of taxpayers’ money.”
Strathearn councillor Ann Cowan said she understood it was “highly likely” the Crieff VIC would close its doors, though not until Perthshire has hosted the Ryder Cup.
And Ms Cowan said the issue would be on the agenda at the next meeting of the Perthshire Tourism Partnership Committee.
Crieff is one of six VICs still operated locally by VisitScotland. The others are in Blairgowrie, Dunkeld, Perth, Pitlochry and Aberfeldy.
VisitScotland is, however, considering closures around the country, as footfall and their perceived value at securing bookings dwindles.
A VisitScotland spokeswoman said: “I can confirm that Crieff VIC will open and operate as normal for the duration of the 2014 visitor season.”
And despite the fears of Ms Smith, Perth and Kinross Council said it was looking to boost its tourism offering.
It has pledged to invest £300,000 to “further enhance” the region’s tourism experience, while VisitScotland will invest heavily in the city.
The spokeswoman added: “We are working in close partnership with Perth and Kinross Council regarding the future location of the Perth VisitScotland Information Centre and we hope to be in a position to release further details on this in the next few months.”