Highland Green MSP says tourists must not see Scotland as a theme park
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Highlands and Islands Green MSP John Finnie has said tourists must be deterred from regarding Scotland as either a theme park or some sort of living museum.
He is calling on the country's tourism secretary Fergus Ewing to commission independent research into the social and environmental impact of tourism in the wake of recent publicity surrounding the irresponsible behaviour of some visitors to the Highlands.
Mr Finnie, who is the Scottish Green Party’s tourism spokesperson, said: “The present problems are not new but, perhaps, magnified by the staycation.
"Whether it’s the disrespect for the Commando Memorial [in Lochaber], the cutting down of trees for camp fires or the reckless disposal of human waste, some visitors have made communities across the Highland and Islands anxious and, in many cases, angry.
“All of these issues require to be robustly dealt with by local authorities and the police now and a clear signal given about what responsible tourism means.
“I strongly welcome the support that the Scottish Government has given to the tourist sector during the present crisis, often making business-saving interventions. However, while the economic impact of Scotland’s important tourism sector is well documented, the social and environmental impacts of tourism are much less understood.
“This isn’t an exclusively rural issue. The implications of the non-availability of year-round, affordable rented accommodation, due to short-term lets, applies equally to the north of Mull and Edinburgh’s Old Town.
“If we are to see informed policy decision-making we need to fully understand impacts.
“It may be there needs to be some sort of trade-off. Who benefits from the promotion of the North Coast 500? It isn’t the bulk of the population on the remote west coast, losing lambs to those encouraged to think they’re on some racetrack.
“Likewise, who benefits from the large influx of tourist to our islands where, during summer months, some can’t get on ferries to get to funerals or get their livestock to the mainland?
“Scotland is not a theme park or some living museum. Our communities gain work from tourism but there can be a downside and independent research will show whether we’re getting that balance right.
“My view is we’re well short of understanding what we’re actively encouraging and that seems reckless.
“The Scottish Green Party supports responsible tourism and we are keen to see the Scottish Government have an evidence base to ensure that’s delivered.”
