Scotland's Tourism sector to gain from outdoor activity market

Tourism businesses operating in Scotland's Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park are gathering tomorrow, 18 March 2008, to maximise the area's potential and collectively boost the local economy through developing and exploiting the fast growing outdoor activity tourism market.

Businesses operating in the tourism and forest industries are expected to attend the event which has been designed to build on the fact that more and more companies are recognising that significant sustainable business development opportunities exist in Scotland's natural assets.

Already hailed as one of the best destinations for outdoor recreational sports and tourism activities, public agencies in Scotland are currently working with the tourism and forest industry sectors in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park to further develop outdoor recreation facilities and attractions such as walking, mountain biking and sailing to maximise the economic and social benefits for Scotland.

Significant investment is underway in the area to enhance facilities and underline the National Park's reputation as a family friendly cycling destination. Scotland attracts over 900,000 trips each year where cycling features as part of the visitors' holiday.

Tomorrow's event will offer the opportunity for businesses with an interest in the outdoor activity market to hear from some of the world's leading lights in outdoor recreation development. Driving force behind Canada's Outdoor Recreation Capital, Squamish, Dan McRae will share his wealth of experience in building a world re-knowned outdoor destination which offers mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking, fishing, kite boarding and windsurfing to name a few.

Joining Dan will be Carole Lebrun, director of Velo Quebec Voyages, an organisation which for 40 years has promoted cycling in Quebec for both tourism and transportation purposes and Nicola Greaves, tourism manager of Forest of Dean District Council, who is responsible for continuing to develop and build the ancient Forest of Dean as an adventure playground for tourists.

It is widely acknowledged that Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park offers significant destination development opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast as it is home to around 720 square miles of some of the finest scenery in Scotland. It boasts 20 Munros, 20 Corbetts, 22 large lochs, two large forest parks and more than 50 rivers and large streams. Sustainable development of the Park as a tourist destination provides considerable economic potential.

Paul McCafferty at Scottish Enterprise in Forth Valley, said: "Outdoor sports and activity tourism is undoubtedly an area with significant growth potential for Scotland's tourism sector. We are a country fortunate to be rich in natural assets such as rugged landscapes and green forests which, with careful planning can be developed to attract more visitors and reap economic dividends.

"It is important to create sustainable projects that help to diversify and grow the economy, maximise the potential of the area and its communities and also support the growth of Scotland's priority sectors such as tourism and forest industries."

Notes to editors Scottish Enterprise supports the Scottish tourist industry by helping businesses offer a world-class service to visitors. It offers a wide range of business development services in areas vital to the industry. These include e-business, skills development, collaboration, innovation, and new product and service development. It is also involved in supporting the development of the tourism infrastructure through visitor attractions, countryside facilities and improvements in public areas such as town centres. Overall, its work with the tourism industry aims to deliver an integrated approach to economic development that maximises linkages with other aspects of the economy.

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