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Updates for Businesses – January

A round up of the latest opportunities and information for businesses in the National Park

Tourism Levy Consultations

The tourism industry is vital to the National Park’s economy and provides significant employment opportunities to our communities. We understand that change is needed to continue to support the tourism industry, and we welcome the opportunity to work closely with local authority partners and relevant stakeholders to explore options for the introduction of a visitor levy. We believe that a well-considered, strategic approach to tourism development is crucial for the long-term success of the National Park and wider regions.

Local authorities within the National Park have started working on plans to consider the introduction of a Visitor Levy, as a means to raise funds to develop, support, and sustain facilities and services which are used by visitors.

Here is an overview on developments within each local authority in the National Park and guidance on how businesses and communities can engage in consultation processes:

Argyll & Bute Council are currently consulting until 10 April 2025.
Stirling Council plan to engage on the Visitor Levy with an initial consultation starting in March, and a full, formal consultation planned for July-October.
West Dunbartonshire Council have opened a Stage 1 Consultation Survey, designed to help shape the formal Stage 2, 12-week consultation. This Stage 1 survey will close on Friday 28 February 2025 at 5pm.
Perth & Kinross Council have carried out public engagement events on the refresh of the Perth & Kinross Tourism Strategy & Action Plan, which includes consideration of a potential Visitor Levy being established. There are no plans as yet to progress with a public consultation.

Sustainable Tourism Manager

We have an exciting Career Opportunity to join our team!
Are you passionate about sustainable tourism and eager to make a lasting impact on one of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes? We are looking for a Sustainable Tourism Manager to lead innovative initiatives that shape the future of tourism in Scotland’s first National Park.

In this role, you will drive forward-thinking projects that promote eco-tourism, enhance public transport, and create lasting benefits for local communities, businesses, and visitors. As part of a collaborative team, you’ll lead the charge in making the National Park a nature-positive, carbon-negative destination.

For the right candidate, this is an opportunity to not only influence current trends and lead responses to key emerging opportunities, but to implement meaningful, long-term behavioural changes that will have a lasting positive impact on the future of the National Park, and on the broader national and international tourism sectors.

If you, or someone you know is interested, read the full job description and apply by 9am 10th Feb 2025.

Visitor Management Update

Preparations for the new Visitor Management Season
Our Visitor Services team have been busy getting ready for the upcoming visitor season. Work includes, reviewing the Joint Response Visitor Management Plan, which outlines how we work with partners, such as local authorities and Police Scotland, to manage visitor management pressures. We will also host meetings with these partners to make a joint assessment of any issues.

In addition to this, the Team are following up on actions from last year’s post-season Visitor Management Group meetings, which are attended by stakeholders, communities and businesses. Preparations are underway for the pre-season Visitor Management Group meetings, where we’ll provide key information on the approaching season to these stakeholders.

Ranger Service
The Ranger Service are working on deployment plans for this season, which will require the support of Seasonal Rangers. With recruitment underway, the team are on track to interview potential candidates in February, followed by training, in time for the start of the season. This seasonal increase in ‘boots on the ground’ bolsters the resilience of the team during the very busy visitor season.

Another key focus for the team is the launch of the new online boat registration database, and the installation of special marks in the seven new 6kph limit areas. These new slow-speed zones aim to help promote safe and responsible water recreation on Loch Lomond.

More news for businesses in the National Park

Gaelic Language Plan
For hundreds of years, and up until the 19th century, Gaelic was the dominant language used by people who lived in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park area. Today, it is still integral to our heritage, identity and cultural life, with many of our present-day place names of Gaelic origin.

We have a statutory role to play in conserving and enhancing Gaelic as part of our natural and cultural heritage, and our Gaelic Language Plan sets our commitment to bring Gaelic language to life in the Park, ensuring it remains relevant for future generations.

To support this, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and partners have developed the nationwide Cleachdi! (clach-tchee, meaning ‘Practise’) campaign to help Gaelic speakers and learners be more visible to one another and to promote the use of Gaelic in public spaces, with free resources available to show people they are willing to speak Gaelic.

The National Park is also seeking opportunities to develop our network of Gaelic speakers, to grow opportunities for collaboration and to connect visitors and communities to our rich Gaelic heritage – if you’re interested, get in touch!

Food, Drink and Tourism Industry Forum
Hosted by STEP, the Forth Valley Food, Drink and Tourism Industry Forum provides an opportunity for businesses within the Stirling and Forth Valley area to engage in discussions, and hear informative presentations. This free event aims to help businesses elevate their understanding of the food, drink and tourism industry in the region – 4 March (09.30am – 12.30pm) at STEP, Stirling Enterprise Park.

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