'Dreadful decision' - communities voice concern as VisitScotland opts for digital strategy
VisitScotland’s decision to close its last information centres by 2026 has proven unpopular across Lochaber and the islands.
Scotland’s national tourist organisation is closing all its 25 information centres over the next two years as part of a "digital first" strategy designed to grow the visitor economy by influencing people in the planning stage of their trip.
All VisitScotland information centres – known as iCentres - will operate as usual until the end of September as part of a phased two-year closure programme.
On the West Coast alone there are 10 - in Fort William, Oban, Balloch, Craignure on Mull, Bowmore on Islay, Rothesay on Bute, Brodick on Arran, Portree on Skye, Stornoway on Lewis and in Ullapool.
VisitScotland, the national tourism organisation, confirmed: "There will be no compulsory redundancies. Staff have been offered a range of options including reskilling, redeployment and voluntary redundancy."
The closures, it says, "follows significant changes to the way people plan their holidays, with most using online resources and travel specialists to research and book all aspects of their trips. This includes arranging accommodation and activities before they arrive at their destination."
"To adapt to this shift in behaviour, VisitScotland will invest its resources and expertise in a digital-first strategy.
"The way visitors access information is changing, and the sphere of influence has widened far beyond in-person and print media to include social media, influencer marketing and online inspiration."
Between 2017-19, blaming a 58 per cent decline in footfall over 12 years, VisitScotland closed almost two thirds of its 65 centres, including those in Campbeltown, Castlebay, Fort Augustus, Inveraray, Lochboisdale, Lochmaddy, Strontian, Tarbert (Harris), and Tyndrum, leaving what it described as 26 "high impact regional hubs".
Speaking to the Lochaber Times following the announcement, Fort William, Inverlochy and Torlundy Community Council chairman Mark Linfield said: "Apart from the loss of jobs on our High Street, the closure will result in the loss of a wealth of local knowledge that the staff have built up over time.
"The idea that everyone now books and plans in advance is laughable; our weather can change in less than an hour and people could be looking for alternative activities for example.
"There are still many people with little or no access to the internet and this decision discriminates against them. Even simple things like locals wanting to book bus journeys will be impacted. I think it’s a dreadful decision."
Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes has asked VisitScotland to provide further information around its footfall, saying that the decision to close them makes "absolutely no sense" if the iCentres are well-used by tourists.
She added: "Given the enormous and well-documented tourism pressures we are experiencing in Lochaber, it does feel short-sighted for VisitScotland to close the Fort William iCentre."
Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston also expressed disappointment.
He said: “Given the key role tourism plays right across the Highlands and Islands, these centres serve as crucial touchpoints for visitors, providing invaluable assistance and guidance as tourists explore our communities.
"While it’s undeniable that online support is increasingly available and important, many visitors still rely on face-to-face interactions for help.
"This decision risks both VisitScotland’s outreach efforts and the availability of local knowledge and experience in some of our most popular tourism destinations."
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