Highlands and Islands Enterprise established Scotland's Communities Leading in Tourism Programme, with the Social Enterprise Academy in 2019, believing in:
Highlands and Islands Enterprise established Scotland's Communities Leading in Tourism Programme, with the Social Enterprise Academy in 2019, believing in:
With Scotland aiming to rebuild from the effects of Covid-19, and with demand for staycations increasing, there is now – more than ever – an opportunity and a need to engage and empower local communities, and to ensure that the benefits that flow from tourism are enjoyed more widely.
Over 85 individuals took part in the CLT programme. Three outcomes were evident:
a) Most participants did not have a background in tourism and gained massively from better understanding the sector and how it operates on many levels.
b) Recognition that Community Tourism is a real thing that conscious consumers seek out and is exceptionally well aligned to the national tourism strategy ‘Scotland Outlook 2030’ – yet it is not represented by existing tourism forums or presented to visitors as a distinct experience in its own right.
c) Creating a forum where participants could share new ideas and innovations made a tangible difference back in their respective local community.
In 2021 CLT course leader Carron Tobin, was successful in securing a £60k grant from the Scottish Government’s Tourism Leadership & Recovery Fund to progress Russell’s idea – and establish SCOTO.
This 6-month grant was specifically targeted at formally establishing SCOTO as a legal entity, developing a digital presence for engagement between members and with visitors, creating the much-needed networking forum for CLT practitioners, establishing a social media presence and devising a brand marque to raise visitor awareness of Community Tourism enterprises across Scotland.
We welcome all established or newly set up community enterprises to get in touch and find out more about SCOTO membership, or to simply ask us for info.