THE Scottish Government has revealed details of a £104 million package to help the country’s beleaguered tourism and hospitality industry.
Available funding includes £19.2m to provide one-off grants for hospitality businesses; £11.8m for international inbound, coach tourism and domestic tour operators; £7m for self-catering and £5m for visitor attractions.
Businesses required to close by law are currently able to claim up to £3000 every four weeks through the Strategic Framework Business Fund.
The Scottish Licensed Trade Association welcomed the funding, but said, in light of the new lockdown, the Government needed to go further still.
Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing acknowledged that the money on offer was “not enough”.
“It’s been a particularly bruising year for our tourism and hospitality sectors,” he said.
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“The Covid-19 crisis has shattered previously successful businesses and we are committed to doing everything possible to get them back on their feet.”
He added: “We’ve already invested well over £2.3 billion to support businesses across Scotland, including 100% rates relief for pubs and restaurants but we know this is not enough.
“The restrictions, as necessary as they are, continue to have a profound effect and it is fair to say that tourism and hospitality businesses are feeling it more than most.”
He promised that the Government would look at additional support for businesses.
SLTA managing director Colin Wilkinson said: “These additional financial support measures have been marred by the earlier-than-expected lockdown payback measures that the industry had been anticipating.
“These new constraints will have an even greater negative impact on the sector and those in the supply chain at this time as we are losing any resemblance of the vitally important Christmas and New Year trade.
“In light of this development, the Scottish Government will need to urgently review the provision of ongoing, realistic financial compensation if the sector and the staff that it employs are to be here after spring 2021 and part of Scotland’s economic recovery.”
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