Perthshire for news, events, listings, tourism and other issues that
may or may not be going on in Perthshire.
Pride and Passion!
Some useful tips for people in the tourist trade. Can you guess where they came from? They are for real and came from a body set up to 'inspire change' in the tourism industry in Scotland.
* When the kitchen’s closed find out where else is open and recommend your guests go there.
* Invest in different size wellies to lend to guests so that walking and getting out in the countryside is easy.
* Give something for nothing. It feels good. The smallest token can make the biggest difference.
* Invest in fresh flowers or bowls of fruit. The personal touch is always good.
Houston we have a problem!!!
Must have been a holiday in Perthshire.
This really is about as bad as it gets and leaves the Scottish tourist industry open to ridicule! Sack the people responsible for this nonsense.
If you are thinking about visiting, living or working here then consider very carefully.
The threats faced by Perthshire - an area heavily dependent on the tourist industry.
Scotland is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the world and Perthshire one of the most picturesque areas in Scotland. Scotland has relied heavily on the tourist industry to provide employment and bring money to the area.
However major challenges lie ahead and forward thinking cities in Scotland have realised that they need to bring new people and new industry to the area for economic growth and not be so reliant on tourism.
The Perthshire Tourist industry is a dinosaur and needs to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century.
Perthshire is stuck in a time warp and will be left behind and die if it doesn’t change.
To do that requires skilled creative people not wellies and a bowl of fruit!
People involved in the tourist industry should be using talented creative people to help deliver killer promotional campaigns to market the area to both tourists and new businesses.
Those responsible for promoting Perthshire have not been forward thinking and attempts at bringing new talent and skills to the area have been thwarted.
If Perthshire had bought into Jack McConnells Fresh Talent initiative and welcomed new talent and new businesses to the area, the area wouldn’t be in such a mess now.
Look how well Dundee and Inverness are doing now!! Both cities have embraced new talent and modernised their image which has now paid dividends and will ensure their future success.
Perthshire appears to be ruled by a secret society, a small group of men who dictate what happens in the area. It's all about land apparently.
Why is this bad for the area and the people of Perthshire?
Because new people and new industries are prevented or deterred from relocating to the area, this will stifle economic growth and our children will have less choice when it comes to choosing a career. Not everyone wants to work in the tourism industry and our talented youngsters and entrepreneurs will be lost to the area. New businesses will look elsewhere.
Tourism is seasonal but new businesses would help fill Perthshire hotels and restaurants 12 months of the year instead of being maybe half full for a few months of the year.
Underhanded business practice needs to go and should be actively discouraged not promoted.
Perthshire has to change and attitudes have to change if the area is to be successful and compete in a global market.
Challenges faced by tourism:
Changing climate. The skiing industry is virtually dead in Scotland now and with 2 bad summers behind us, people may just decide not to come back next year.
Cheap flights and package tours to sunny destinations.
The UK is very expensive compared to other countries
Exhange rates. The pound is strong which makes an already expensive country even more expensive
Service - other destinations offer a better level of service. It's all about giving the customer what they want to make their visit an enjoyable one.
The very real threat of terrorism
Why tourism in Perthshire has to change:
Tourism is about offering value for money and providing a pleasant and enjoyable experience – nice place but more importantly nice people! New tourism initiatives seem to appear on a regular basis but they smack of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
The industry has to modernise and offer the tourist what they want not what the area wants.
If you don't give the tourist what they want they won't come back, they will go elswhere.
