Giant Strides: Marine Tourism Strategy
Members of the marine tourism sector and regeneration professionals gathered at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh for a very successful 3rd Marine Trade and Marine Tourism Symposium hosted by the Cross Party Group on Recreational Boating and Marine Tourism.
Over the course of the day, many excellent speakers offered their thoughts on future opportunities for the marine sector in Scotland and the day culminated with the launch of the new draft marine tourism strategy for 2020-25, ‘Giant Strides’.
‘Awakening the Giant’, a Strategic Framework for Scotland’s Marine Tourism Sector 2015-20 was the first Marine Tourism Strategy to be adopted in Scotland. The update for 2020-25, Giant Strides, is again industry led and the industry partners are keen to hear opinions on the draft vision and mission to help shape the final strategy. The draft is available on partner websites including British Marine, RYA Scotland and Scottish Canals. Feedback on the draft is now essential to ensure the final strategy meets the needs and aspirations of the sector. Consultation ends on 17 January 2020. Further information on the consultation and the draft strategy is available here.
The Cross-Party Group on Recreational Boating and Marine Tourism has been a much-valued forum for the sector and a driving force behind the development of the Marine Tourism Strategy and the redraft for 2020-25. Stuart McMillan, MSP and Convenor of the Cross Party Group commented: “Scotland has outstanding marine tourism assets and the refreshed Marine Tourism strategy will help strengthen the sector to maximise economic benefits while respecting and caring for these fragile natural resources.”
British Marine Chief Executive Lesley Robinson, one of the speakers at the symposium, is delighted to see this focus of effort by the industry in Scotland to drive development and strengthen recognition of the sector’s value and potential. She encourages members to support development of the strategy and feedback comments to make the new strategy, Giant Strides, as relevant to the needs of the sector as possible.
The Marine Tourism Strategy update, Giant Strides, 2020-25 will be launched in Spring 2020, during the themed year for Scotland’s Coasts and Waters.
The symposium was supported by industry bodies including British Marine Scotland, RYA Scotland, Scottish Canals, Sail Scotland and the British Ports Association.