WIREDGOV

Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing launched a survey measuring the economic benefits of holiday parks during a visit to Grantown on Spey caravan park.

Economic benefits to be measured.

Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing launched a survey measuring the economic benefits of holiday parks during a visit to Grantown on Spey caravan park.

The questionnaire, launched in partnership with the British Homes and Holiday Parks Association (BH&HPA), will be sent to all local authorities and Scotland’s two national parks.

The survey will reveal the impact holiday parks have on Scotland’s tourism economy and the important role they play within local, often rural, communities.

Responses will be collated and analysed, with the results announced at the annual BH&HPA conference on November 28.

Mr Ewing said:

"The holiday park sector is recognised as an important contributor to the visitor economy, especially to the ‘staycation’ trend.

“This questionnaire will gather information on holiday parks across Scotland and the impact they have on local economies.

“This year we are celebrating the Year of Natural Scotland and during this time and beyond it has never been more important that visitors see the very best that Scotland has to offer – our outstanding landscapes and scenery, unique flora and fauna and fantastic natural larder.

“The tourism sector is of vital importance to the Scottish economy, worth £4.3 billion in direct expenditure from overnight visitors, and provides employment to 185,900 within the tourism growth sector.

“I look forward to seeing the results of this survey later this year.”

Jeanette Wilson, BH&HPA Policy Director Scotland said:

“With more than 200 park businesses throughout Scotland, the sector generates around ten percent of Scotland's tourism economy, and provides around one in six of all holiday bed-nights.

“Spending by visitors to holiday parks is fed directly into Scotland's regional economies – and is a crucial source of revenue for many smaller rural businesses, from village shops to pubs and restaurants. Visitor spending also helps to sustain the large number of jobs in Scotland which are wholly or partially reliant on tourism.”

Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, said:

“Holiday parks are vital to Scotland’s tourism offering and contribute a great deal to the visitor economy of the many cities and towns surrounding them.

“I welcome the introduction of this questionnaire, which is a reliable way of assessing the economic importance of these parks to the wider tourism economy and the benefits they offer.

“We are incredibly lucky to live in this beautiful country with its plethora of fantastic holiday parks in stunning locations and what better way of getting back to nature in the year of Natural Scotland than enjoying a stay at one of them?”

Grantown on Spey Caravan Park owner, Sandra McKelvie said:

“We warmly welcomed the Scottish Government's initiative to highlight the contribution made by holiday caravan parks to the local economy and tourism.

"The government's intention to assess the authorities ethos with regard to caravan holiday parks in their areas will, in itself, give cause for reflection about where caravan parks sit with regard to their importance in the economy.

“We hope that by bringing holiday caravan parks to centre stage, albeit for a short time, will strengthen the relationships between caravan parks and the authorities, allow us to be recognised as valuable members of the team, and help us to move forward in our joint aim of growing tourism in Scotland.”