£3.9 million to support visitor management
More than 200 seasonal countryside rangers and operations staff posts will be created to support sustainable and responsible rural tourism.
The rangers will help tackle issues such as littering, antisocial behaviour and public toileting in rural tourism hotspots through patrols, liaising with local communities, landowners and police.
Operations staff will manage popular rural tourism sites with issues such as pressures on parking and camping sites.
The funding includes £1.5 million for NatureScot Better Places Fund Round 3 which opens today.
The countryside rangers and operations staff will ensure visitors can enjoy all that Scotland has to offer while reducing disturbance on communities and the environment during the coming 2022 season.
Tourism Minister Ivan McKee said: “Scotland’s breath taking natural scenery and rich historical sites rightly attract many visitors and help local economies but we know that this success is often tempered by increased pressure on communities, services, transport and facilities – particularly in rural areas. It is crucial that increasing demand at some of our most iconic rural and natural attractions is managed in a sustainable and responsible way to protect Scotland’s scenery and reduce pressure on local communities. The rangers and operations staff will support visitors to find suitable parking and necessary facilities while ensuring adherence to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. This will allow for a better experience for tourists as well as the communities who experience the challenges that large visitor numbers can bring.”
More on:
Posted On: 21/03/2022