Economy of north Highlands can take off again
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Chamber Comment by Trudy Morris
As the nights gradually begin to lighten, and with the worst of the winter weather hopefully behind us, it is wonderful to feel a certain accompanying lightening of the spirit.
This most recent lockdown has been hard for all of us, and I and my colleagues across the Scottish Chambers network have been working hard to support business owners who have struggled to find hope at a very bleak time.
Thankfully there are, at last, some hints of light at the end of the tunnel, with both UK and Scottish governments committing, however tentatively, towards a plan for taking the country out of lockdown. This is sadly not as comprehensive nor as concrete as we had hoped, but it has nonetheless reawakened many of us to the reality that this terrible situation will not last forever.
With the gradual lifting of the restrictions will come the gradual reopening of the economy, and continued investment and support from both governments will be required to enable this to happen.
A major step in this direction was taken recently with the Scottish Government’s confirmation that they will provide financial support for a Public Service Obligation (PSO) from Wick John O’Groats Airport. We have been fighting for support for lifeline air services from the north Highlands for years now, and are delighted to see the Scottish Government finally recognise the vital economic and social importance of these services.
This is, however, very much a first step, and much hard work still lies ahead of us if we are to make a PSO work. Through the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, we are working closely with Highland Council and local partners to help develop and deliver a specification for a PSO that meets the needs of the area.
As part of this, we do have to recognise that COVID-19 has changed the travel needs of the region, and that even after restrictions are fully lifted the impacts of the pandemic will be felt for some time. We are working closely with consultants to understand and model this, but it remains clear that air services from Wick are still vital to the future economic success of the north Highlands.
While recent announcements have led to a surge in bookings for overseas holidays, it is clear that until sufficient vaccine rollout happens both at home and abroad, holidaying overseas will come with certain risks and challenges. For many of us, the temptation of a week in the sun is not enough to risk the possibility of being caught in a local lockdown, or having to seek return flights at short notice and high cost.
As a result, it seems likely that we can expect another staycation boom this summer, with many seeking to explore the hidden delights of the Highlands. While the Caithness coast may not quite rival the Costa del Sol, we would argue that the golden sands of Reiss Beach or Dunnet Bay still have plenty to offer.
This preference for domestic rather than overseas tourism has been seen worldwide and is predicted to continue for years to come. The ability to access regular, reliable flights at a reasonable price point will make the north Highlands far more accessible to all tourists, and opens up new potential to attract groups looking for shorter stays in the region.
Business travel by air is also expected to rebound significantly faster post-Covid, and our discussions with businesses have shown that this demand is already here in the north Highlands. As decommissioning at Dounreay and Vulcan progresses, and we seek to attract new business in sectors like offshore wind and aerospace, access to flights will be vital for businesses across the region.
If the past year has shown us anything, it’s that we should learn to expect the unexpected. However, with hard work and determination, we will see lifeline flights from Wick start soon, helping to rebuild and recover our economy in a post-Covid world.
- Trudy Morris is chief executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce.
