Visitor Management Strategy Action Log: 11 March 2021
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Visitor Management Strategy action log: 11 March 2021 This action log provides a high level overview of co-ordinated activity at national level by VMS partner bodies. It does not capture the considerable amount of activity underway at local level, led in particular by local authorities. ACTION TO DATE: Short term (spring 2021) - completed Short term (spring 2021) - in progress Short term but not yet underway or Longer term COLOUR CODING status to be confirmed VMS Priority 1 - Informing and educating our current and future visitors VMS ACTIVITY LEAD (SUPPORT) ACTION TO DATE Deliver an integrated inspirational VisitScotland (Education & Marketing Considerable activity underway through E&M sub-gp to develop overarching “Yours to explore/all of ours to & informative marketing campaign sub-group) care for” campaign - for launch from late March. to promote responsible countryside enjoyment (priority - UK/EU audiences). VisitScotland / local authorities (LAs) Strategic promotion of a range of destinations/activities to spread visitor benefits and impacts. Refresh SOAC promotion with targeted NatureScot (Education & Marketing sub- Considerable activity underway through E&M sub-gp to develop collaborative SOAC promotion, including campaigns (priority – entry-level group) high level overarching messages and specific messaging on key topics – closely linked to the above. messages, dogs, fires, camping) and the development of new education resources NatureScot Downloadable SOAC branding revised to more strongly identify the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and work for distribution via Schools, Colleges/ better on social media. Universities and Youth organisations. NatureScot Campaign on responsible access with dogs now underway to coincide with lambing season (ahead of main campaign launch as above). NatureScot (Visitor Management Agreed national messaging approach for open fires, with strong links to local messaging (which can be Strategy groups, National Access Forum restrictive where needed). (NAF), Scottish Outdoor Access Network (SOAN), Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF) NatureScot, Cairngorms National Park Messaging re. legal context for off-road parking of campervans clarified by Operational Group and E&M sub- Authority (CNPA), VisitScotland, Scottish gp. Government, Police Scotland VS/CaMPA Developing and promoting good practice for campervan users to include messaging (as above) and coincide with easing of restrictions. NatureScot (Young Scot) Video animations for young people launched on YoungScot website in October 2020; ready for use in 2021. NatureScot (National Parks / Keep Programme of work with schools and colleges to be initiated from autumn 2021; not practical under current Scotland Beautiful / John Muir Trust) COVID restrictions. VMS ACTIVITY LEAD (SUPPORT) ACTION TO DATE Development of a communications toolkit Visitor Management Strategy, Education Toolkit of resources being compiled/developed. for partners & industry & Marketing sub-group members Deliver a programme of stakeholder & VisitScotland Develop a programme that engages with the tourism industry to a) let them know about the campaign and industry networking events to develop and b) encourage them to get involved – giving them the tools to do so. share key messages and resources VMS Priority 2 - Investing in Scotland’s current and future visitor management infrastructure and services VMS ACTIVITY LEAD (SUPPORT) ACTION TO DATE Develop short and long-term investment Investment and Infrastructure sub- Collating overall resource requirements for visitor infrastructure across Scotland (National Parks and LA priorities though a refreshed RTIF and group areas). other relevant funding streams VisitScotland, Scottish Government Thirteen new projects across Scotland supported through round 3 of RTIF (Rural Tourism Infrastructure Tourism Fund) – January 2021. RTIF doubled to £6.2 million for next round. NatureScot, Historic Environment A number of projects in the Highlands & Islands supported under the Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund will Scotland (HES) contribute to local visitor management. NatureScot, Forestry and Land Scotland Better Places Green Recovery Fund established by NatureScot in December 2020 to support co-ordinated (FLS), Loch Lomond & The Trossachs visitor management planning. 35 plus projects funded (circa £400,000) including in East Lothian, Arisaig (car National Park (LLTNPA), CNPA park/path design) and various communities on NC500 via North Highland Initiative. A second round of funding to support additional investment in temporary and permanent infrastructure / services for the 2021 season will be launched on the 19 March – Scottish Government is providing £2.75 million to support this fund. Local and National Park authorities Increased permanent or temporary provision of parking facilities (including overflow options at peak times), (FLS, Scottish Land & Estates (SL&E)) public toilets and litter/waste disposal/collection in National Parks and various other locations. Develop and implement proposals for Scottish Government Planning, LLTNPA Discussion in hand re. encouraging flexible approach to approval of visitor management facilities by improved provision for camping and planning authorities for 2021. motorhoming across Scotland Scottish Government, FLS, NatureScot, Potential licensing barriers to promoting light touch overnight campervan parking on land managed by VisitScotland, LLTNPA public bodies have been addressed; can be achieved via exemptions to allow FLS & NatureScot to operate sites under their supervision in 2021. Investment and Infrastructure sub- Clarify wastewater disposal options. May need more permanent waste disposal facilities (e.g. at public loos) group and temporary seasonal facilities at visitor hotspots. VMS ACTIVITY LEAD (SUPPORT) ACTION TO DATE Investment and Infrastructure sub- Water-tank fill up points (possibly linked with above), possibly based on shared services approach with group campsites, petrol stations and public toilet blocks) NatureScot / NAF Revised NAF guidance on managing camping with tents completed and published in February 2021 to help inform local management, including options for light touch provision, drawing on experience during 2020. VisitScotland / TS / Local and National Providing better real time information centrally and regionally to reduce overcrowding in key areas, for Park Authorities example through roadside variable message signs and information ‘on the ground’. NPAs Technological approaches to visitor management (e.g. sensors to indicate car park availability) are being trialled in the National Parks; these will require appropriate management as well as infrastructure and will not be ready to launch immediately. Trial and develop low-cost, low carbon Transport Scotland, Sustrans, Need to encourage more active travel-based visits where practical, and increased use of public transport/ and integrated transport solutions at VisitScotland, LAs / National Park shuttle buses subject to ongoing COVID restrictions (requires provision in popular visitor destinations, not key locations to help reduce traffic Authorities just large population centres). management and parking issues Review and enhance current provision and NatureScot - Ranger Development Revised policy statement supporting Rangering in Scotland has been concluded – to be launched shortly. funding for rangering workforce to support Partnership (RDP) Wider support for professional development of the ranger workforce is under ongoing discussion with RDP. visitor management CNPA, LLTNPA, NatureScot, FLS Increased seasonal ranger/site staff provision will be implemented by land managing public bodies / National Park Authorities (in CNPA area, for example, this will lead to an approximate doubling of combined staff capacity on the ground). NatureScot Funding extended for 12 community and private sector ranger services supported by NatureScot NatureScot, Scottish Government Further funding for seasonal ranger provision to be distributed through a second round of the Better Places fund (see details above) NatureScot, Scottish Countryside A joint Leading Edge training event for rangers (with Scottish Countryside Rangers Association) will take Rangers Association (RDP) place in March 2021. An online training resource on challenging behaviour to be provided by LLTNPA. VMS Priority 3 - Delivering a joined up and cohesive action plan across Scotland VMS ACTIVITY LEAD (SUPPORT) ACTION TO DATE Put in place effective governance All Visitor management strategy governance framework established in Oct-Nov 2020 arrangements to provide national leadership and co-ordinated action for Various Visitor management plans established at various scales and in different contexts – e.g. CNPA visitor visitor planning and management. management plans for key areas such as Deeside & Angus Glens, NatureScot resilience strategy for National Invest in visitor management Nature Reserves (NNRs) across Scotland. Operational Co-ordination Group (Op Collectively develop a Visitor Management “Problem Solving” matrix (action proposed by Prevention, Group). Regulation & Reassurance sub group for Op group) Operational Co-ordination Group (Op Education seminars between agencies/organisations and sectors to gain understanding of each other’s Group). capabilities, priorities and role (action proposed by Prevention, Regulation & Reassurance sub group for Op Group) Prevention, Regulation & Reassurance Develop multi agency “who has powers to do what” guidance for byelaws, offences