MSP's Support Scottish Tourism Week 2008

12.00.00am GMT Thu 28th Feb 2008

MSP's have given their support to the third Scottish Tourism Week which takes place from 4th - 11th March. The week is aimed at raising the awareness of tourism as Scotland's most sustainable industry and this year's theme is 'Investing in Scottish Tourism'.

Mr Jim Hume MSP for South of Scotland was one of over sixty MSP's that participated in a photo opportunity day at Parliament this week hosted by the Scottish Tourism Forum. The aim of the day was to highlight the importance of tourism within each individual MSP's constituency and to draw attention to the opportunities open to individuals and communities alike to contribute to the overall tourism offer within Scotland.

Mr Hume, MSP, comments: " Tourism in the South of Scotland is a huge opportunity for many people. The South of Scotland has some of the most beautiful scenery in the World. I will be pushing the South to gain as much as possible out of the homecoming year in 2009. In South Scotland tourism has seen growth in the past few years, I will do all I can to encourage further tourism development. Co-operation between tourism businesses in the South has delivered benefits to the whole community. I will encourage this at all levels. Its not your neighboring business that is your competition it is businesses in other countries. Selling packages of co-operating tourism businesses delivers dividends for all."

To build on the increasing success of Scottish Tourism Week, STF will launch in conjunction with STW an exciting new online project which encourages MSPs to engage with tourism businesses in their local area. The project will run throughout the year and will give MSP's the chance to highlight issues, events and activities relating to tourism in their area.

Iain Herbert, STF Chief Executive, comments: "Tourism is the one industry that can reach all areas across Scotland and STW is the ideal mechanism to highlight these opportunities. Scottish Tourism Week, which was initiated by the Scottish Tourism Forum in 2006, connects on a business to business level and encourages politicians to engage with tourism businesses in order to better understand the issues and to help unlock the true potential within Scottish tourism economy".

More info on www.stforum.co.uk