Argyll will be the area "hardest hit" by VisitScotland’s decision to close its last information centres by 2026, says an Oban councillor.
VisitScotland is closing all its 25 information centres over the next two years, as part of a "digital first" strategy "designed to grow the visitor economy by influencing visitors in the planning stage of their trip, before they leave home".
All VisitScotland information centres – known as iCentres - will operate as usual until the end of September as part of a phased two-year closure programme.
On the West Coast alone there are 10 iCentres - in Oban, Fort William, Balloch, Craignure on Mull, Bowmore on Islay, Rothesay on Bute, Brodick on Arran, Portree on Skye, Stornoway on Lewis, and in Ullapool.
VisitScotland, the national tourism organisation, confirmed: "There will be no compulsory redundancies. Staff have been offered a range of options including reskilling, redeployment and voluntary redundancy."
The closures, it explained, "follows significant changes to the way people plan their holidays, with most using online resources and travel specialists to research and book all aspects of their trips. This includes arranging accommodation and activities before they arrive at their destination.
"To adapt to this shift in behaviour, VisitScotland will invest its resources and expertise in a digital-first strategy.
"The way visitors access information is changing, and the sphere of influence has widened far beyond in-person and print media to include social media, influencer marketing, online inspiration and online booking."
Between 2017-19, blaming a 58 per cent decline in footfall over 12 years, VisitScotland closed almost two thirds of its 65 centres, including Campbeltown, Castlebay, Fort Augustus, Inveraray, Lochboisdale, Lochmaddy, Strontian, Tarbert (Harris), and Tyndrum, leaving 26 "high impact regional hubs".
Argyll and Bute Council’s policy lead for Economic Growth, Kintyre and the Isles councillor Alastair Redman (Ind) from Islay, said: “It is very disappointing such a significant decision has been made without consultation with local communities, and apparently no recognition given of the wider role these centres perform, connecting local communities with visitors.
"We know communities would want a commitment to local jobs being safeguarded through remote working opportunities.
"The loss of the visitor centre on Rothesay is a particular concern as it sustains the historic Winter Gardens that was subject to a recent refurbishment at considerable public cost. This building occupies a prominent location in Rothesay’s historic waterfront and contains the island cinema, which is an important community asset. There is a need for full clarity over the future of this building before any proposed closure as it performs an important multi-functional role for the local community.
"Tourism is not only for tourists. It is also for the people and communities who make Scotland’s tourism possible. Visit Scotland has a responsibility to local people as well as to our tourists.”
Calling on the First Minister Humza Yousaf to step in and stop the closures, Oban South and the Isles councillor Amanda Hampsey (Con) added: "Argyll and Bute is the area hardest hit by this proposal, with kiosks earmarked for closure in Rothesay, Oban, Craignure and Bowmore.
"This decision is deeply unhelpful to efforts by the local community to increase tourism and give visitors a better experience of our beautiful area."
Council leader, Kintyre and the Isles councillor Robin Currie (Lib Dem) also from Islay, is writing to Visit Scotland’s senior management to ask for a meeting to discuss their plans for all four centres in Argyll and Bute.
Scottish Labour said the move was a "disastrous decision" that "sends a message to the world that Scotland is closed for tourists and not open for business".
The Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston expressed disappointment, saying: "These planned closures coincide with the Scottish Government in Edinburgh slashing funding for VisitScotland, and it’s clear that the impact of these budget cuts is now being felt in critical sectors of our economy."
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