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Category: Member Benefits

Scottish Agritourism Growth Tracker

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

Farms, crofts and estates across Scotland are being asked to take part in an important study to help build a better understanding of what support is required to grow the country’s agritourism sector. 

60% of Scottish Agritourism members have some kind of accommodation as part of their farm diversification. 

The research, undertaken by VisitScotland in partnership with Scottish Agritourism will look to establish the size and scale of the industry. It aims to include a broader range of recipients this year to create a clearer picture of the country’s agritourism offering and the impact that the sector has on the Scottish economy. Results will be used to inform future decision-making and ensure the sector benefits from targeted support. 

✅ It’s anonymous

✅ It takes 30 mins

✅ It will demonstrate what #Agritourism is contributing to the #Scottisheconomy and how important the sector is.

This data is vital to prove the value of agritourism in #Scotland to secure support for the sector.

Please read the FAQs & take part: https://lnkd.in/eGpmxF2h

The census is open to all operating agritourism businesses as well as those considering adding agritourism to their operations. It will take up to 30 minutes to complete and any data provided will remain completely anonymous. The survey will close on 3 July, to take part visit: https://www.visitscotland.org/news/2022/agritourism-tracker-2022

Media Coverage This Week

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

It has been another incredibly busy week at ASSC HQ in terms of media engagement.

  • According to a recent report from Sykes Cottages, 4 out of 5 UK residents intend to holiday at home this year.

Are Staycations booming? Our CEO, Fiona Campbell, spoke to BBC Radio Scotland:

  • Home owners who cash in by renting out their properties to visitors during major events, festivals or sporting occasions such as next month’s Open Championship could be exempted from short- licensing.

Scotsman, Home owners can get exemptions to rent out properties licence-free for major Scottish events like Open Championship, 20/06/22

Times, Festival hosts may avoid lettings crackdown, 21/06/22

Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said: 

“Short-term lets play a vital if not indispensable role in providing alternative sources of accommodation to ensure Scotland has the necessary capacity to host major events like the Open Championship. After the challenges of the pandemic, it is brilliant that we can welcome back many more people to Scotland, showcasing our unique hospitality, with local businesses like self-catering benefiting in the process.”

“However, the whole basis of the licensing scheme was to provide mandatory health and safety protections and a level playing field. Enabling temporary exemptions of this nature would appear to run contrary to this when hard-pressed small businesses will have to comply.” 

“Now that licensing is in place, and to protect the status and reputation of our tourism and events offering to visitors, there should be a fairness and consistency of approach between all accommodation providers. Ensuring health and safety is paramount and this need not come at the expense of our economy.”

“Those with a temporary exemption should make the same financial contribution through fees if not all of the mandatory health and safety conditions will apply.”

  • The Highland Council is consulting on the Council’s short term let draft policy statement and proposed additional conditions for a licence.

  • Scotland’s second home owners may be stripped of £400 energy grant

Scotsman, Scotland’s second home owners may be stripped of £400 energy grant, 23/06/22

Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said:
“Following today’s debate at the Scottish Parliament, we await further detail from the Scottish Government on how this could be implemented in practice. A policy of this nature will necessitate robust data about the use of a property – something which has hitherto been lacking in Scotland. We look forward to discussions about the detail of this measure to guard against any unintended consequences.”

Press Release: First Regional Get-together Kicks Off Summer Season in Style

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers held the first of their 2022 get-together events at Inverary Castle on Wednesday 8th June. The evening reception, hosted by Torquhil Campbell, Duke of Argyll, was a roaring success with over 100 guests in attendance.

The purpose of the event was to toast being able to see one another in person, once again, to honour the resilience, determination and professionalism of ASSC members and to celebrate the vital role of self-catering in Scottish tourism. Also, to recognise the continuing hard work of the ASSC, ensuring that Scottish self-catering has a voice that is being heard by decision-makers at every level of government throughout the country, and to thank those who have supported us.

The event saw presentations from the ASSC’s Chief Executive Fiona Campbell, Rob Dickson, Director of Industry and Destination Development, VisitScotland, Marc Crothall MBE, Chief Executive, Scottish Tourism Alliance and Cathy Craig, Chief Executive, Argyll & the Isles Tourism Co-operative.

The event was also attended by Fergus Murray, Head of Development & Economic Growth, Argyll & Bute Council, Councillor Mark Irvine, and Provost Maurice Corry, alongside partners and trade suppliers and, of course, Members of the ASSC.

Attendees were treated to spectacular whisky cocktails from North Star Spirits, canapes from Cu Mara Bistro, supported by Loch Fyne Oysters, Chrystal’s Shortbread and Tunnock’s.

Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers Chief Executive, Fiona Campbell, said:

“It was truly wonderful to hold our first get-together event of the year and to see so many smiling faces in person. It was a true celebration, after the torrid time that the sector has endured and the challenges that we continue to face.

“I want to think our generous host, The Duke of Argyll, as well as all of our speakers, partners and attendees for making this event so much fun and so special. We are already planning the next one.”

Link to photos.

A video to give a flavour of the event, from one of our sponsors, North Star Spirits.

Testimonials from Partners:

“”I loved the event… beautiful canapés, interesting people, casual format. Some great connections made. It was great to meet so many enthusiastic members and put names to faces. We will be happy to attend the next regional event and are here in the meantime to support ASSC Members” DM Hall

I had a great time at the event, it was by far one of the best events that I’ve attended” Zeal