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Daily Record
02-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Feedback on visitor levy proposal could help shape Perth and Kinross' tourism policy
In 2023 tourism generated £641 million for the Perth and Kinross economy A Strathearn ward councillor believes feedback on whether or not to introduce a visitor levy should help determine a future tourism policy for Perth and Kinross. Latest figures show that in 2023, 2.3 million people visited the picturesque county, generating £641 million for the local economy and supporting around 8,200 full-time jobs. On Wednesday, May 28 the council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee met to consider a "bold and ambitious" Perth and Kinross Tourism Strategy and Action Plan 2025-2030. The five-year strategy focuses on four key areas: destination marketing to attract visitors from all over the world to Perth and Kinross; investment and infrastructure; market development and internationalisation, and industry growth and resilience. Endorsing the latest draft of the plan, the committee's convener Eric Drysdale said: "It sets out a bold and ambitious vision for the future of tourism in Perth and Kinross." Pointing to the strategy's four key aims, Cllr Drysdale said: "Together these priorities aim to increase our visitor numbers, attract inward investment and support our local businesses to grow, create jobs and thrive." As part of the strategy, Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) is considering introducing a visitor levy, alongside other potential sources of investment. In February 2025, PKC's Economy and Infrastructure Committee agreed for the local authority to begin seeking the views of local businesses and residents on the possible introduction of a tourist tax. The feedback gathered will be put in a report which will go before councillors in December 2025. Elected members will then be asked to vote on whether or not to proceed with introducing the scheme. At Wednesday's meeting, Strathearn ward SNP councillor Stewart Donaldson said: "There's going to be very extensive engagement on that front before the report comes to council in December. "And then consultation, and then after that quite a lengthy implementation period. And whatever some people's views might be, I think that very exercise in itself might be helpful to us in determining a future tourism policy for Perth and Kinross." The strategy was developed by Perthshire Tourism Partnership which was established in 2005. The partnership brings together businesses, local tourism associations, groups and public sector organisations including Perth and Kinross Council from across the area. However, at Wednesday's meeting, Cllr Donaldson highlighted a "dearth" of input from West Perthshire (Strathallan and Strathearn wards), which houses two of Perth and Kinross' largest hotels - Gleneagles and Crieff Hydro. Economic Development Officer Suzanne Cumiskey - who wrote the report on the strategy - said it was a "valid point" and acknowledged there were "gaps" due to some local tourist associations, including Crieff's, having disbanded. She added: "Where there is a gap, we do have industry reps for the area and we have tried to speak to individual businesses or collectives. We're conscious there is a gap there at the moment, one that we're hoping to close." In a statement issued by Perth and Kinross Council, Perthshire Tourism Partnership chairman David Smythe said: "I thank Perthshire Tourism Partnership members and the tourism industry leaders who all contributed to shaping the new Tourism Strategy, which sets a clear path forward for this economically vital sector in Perth and Kinross. "Getting the tourism balance right through sustainable growth and focusing on the key themes is important to help keep our communities vibrant as they embrace the opportunities visitors bring to our lovely part of Scotland."
The Courier
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Perth and Kinross Council expenses: What did your councillor claim last year?
Perth and Kinross councillors ran up a £32,000 expenses bill last year. Councillors can claim for travel and other costs connected to their official duties. The 2024-2025 total was shared between the 40 serving members, and two former councillors. The highest expenses total – £4,750.50 – went to Perth and Kinross Provost Xander McDade. The council's SNP deputy leader Eric Drysdale did not claim a penny. Nor did independent councillor Colin Stewart and Conservative Crawford Reid, one of the two who stepped down last year, sparking a by-election in September. There were no overseas trips, and no claims for accommodation or meals. And only one payment was made in connection with training and conferences – £475 for Liberal Democrat licensing board convener Peter Barrett. Perth and Kinross Council leader Grant Laing's expenses amounted to £504.90 for the year. The SNP councillor says that mostly paid for travel to an event in London, where he was pitching for investment in Perth. And he puts his comparatively low claim down to public transport and advancing years. 'I'm in the office 95% of the time and I travel by bus,' Mr Laing told The Courier. 'I'm fortunate with the bus service where I stay. And I use my bus pass. I'm 63. 'It's not just that it's free,' he added. 'People will sit down and speak to you on the bus. You get a good sense of what's happening on the ground.' Provost Xander McDade attends a large number of events in his role as the civic head of Perth and Kinross. As an independent councillor in the Highland ward, he also has further to travel than other members. However, his £4,750.50 expenses compare favourably to his predecessor's. The oldest breakdown of councillors' expenses on the Perth and Kinross Council website is for 2018-19 when then provost Dennis Melloy totalled £18,951.50. Ten other councillors ran up expenses running into thousands of pounds last year. They include John Duff, another Highland ward councillor and leader of the opposition Tory group, whose expenses came to £3,264.60. The total bill for Perth and Kinross councillors' salaries and allowances amounted to £1,007,533.29 in 2024-25.
