Council hits back over Tory's take on tourism
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MORAY Council's convener has hit out after a Conservative MSP's "attack" in which he accused the authority of hindering the area's tourism potential.
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston praised the passion of Moray’s private tourism operators last week.
However, he said the council must not allow its service cuts to hold back the tourism sector – adding that long grass and toilet closures did not help visitors to see Moray at its best.
Councillor Shona Morrison, convener and deputy council leader, said Mr Halcro Johnston had "cynically spun a good-news story for Moray into an attack on the council’s administration".
Ms Morrison also suggested that Mr Halcro Johnston’s time would be better spent convincing his Conservative colleagues in the council of the importance in supporting Moray tourism after one had criticised the tourism BID initiative being put before businesses.
Mr Halcro Johnston gave his views after touring one of Speyside’s newest distilleries at Ballindalloch last week.
During his visit, the MSP also discussed the North East 250, the tourist route championed by Guy Macpherson-Grant, of Ballindalloch. He said afterwards that the private tourism sector had played a major role in driving the NE250 forward, and added: "We also need to ensure that, when visitors do come to Moray, their expectations of the county are met.
"That’s why cuts to local services by Moray Council – which have led to the closure of some public toilets and a reduction in the amount spent on maintaining public spaces – risks holding Moray back in maximising the enormous tourism potential it has."
He said tourism operators want visitors to see Moray at it’s very best and that "limited toilets and long grass don’t help achieve that".
The MSP added: "Moray has huge potential to grow its tourism sector. Local private tourist businesses are already playing their part in helping achieve that. It’s time Moray Council did too."
Ms Morrison said: "Once again I am thoroughly disappointed to find another Conservative elected representative cynically spinning a good-news story for Moray into an attack on the council’s administration.
"I find it baffling that Mr Halcro Johnston feels so equipped to comment frequently and in such a reproachful manner on budgetary matters, having never met with ourselves to discuss finances. I have repeatedly extended the offer of a meeting to Mr Halcro Johnston following critical comments from him on social media. Every offer has either been roundly ignored or deflected. It is staggering that Mr Halcro Johnston would decline such a genuine offer and I would strongly suggest over the next few months he reconsiders his approach.
"We are exceptionally proud of Moray and the wonderful experiences it has to offer the visitor. The increase in tourism numbers alone last year attest to the variety and quality of our unique offerings. It is incumbent on all of Moray’s elected representatives that they take every opportunity available to passionately promote this image.
"However, in stark contrast to this ideal, I am disheartened to learn of at least one Conservative councillor actively speaking out against the tourism sector and, in particular, Moray Speyside Tourism Business Improvement District (BID) proposals. This, despite there being strong support across the industry in the region.
"Perhaps Mr Halcro Johnston’s time would be better spent convincing his colleagues in the council of the importance in supporting Moray tourism. And whilst doing that, he might also reflect on the devastating effect Brexit will have on the tourism sector, as the workforce we so desperately depend upon leave Scotland for good.
"If he truly wants to support and nurture tourism then he needs to put Moray first and his party’s ideology second."
