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Businesses urged to apply for Days Out incentive scheme as part of tourism's recovery


By Lorna Thompson

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VISITSCOTLAND is urging businesses to apply for a new Days Out incentive scheme designed to boost visitor attractions over the quiet winter months.

The VisitScotland Days Out Incentive Fund, administered on behalf of the Scottish Government, will deliver £4 million to support the recovery of the tourism industry by subsidising the cost of a ticket to visitor attractions, day tour excursions and wildlife and adventure activities.

Successful applicants will receive funding to apply promotions of "up to 50 per cent off" the cost of a ticket, up to the maximum discount value of £20 per transaction.

The project is part of the £25 million tourism recovery programme announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in March. The recovery proposals were developed by the Scottish Tourism Emergency Response Group (STERG) in collaboration with members of the Tourism Task Force.

VisitScotland director of marketing Vicki Miller said: "The loss of international visitors over the past year has had a major impact on visitor attractions, tours and activity providers.

"The VisitScotland Days Out Voucher Fund will help generate income for this sector during the quieter winter months, as well as help rebuild consumer confidence in the face of Covid-19.

VisitScotland is urging businesses to apply for the Days Out Incentive Fund to help in the recovery of the tourism industry.
VisitScotland is urging businesses to apply for the Days Out Incentive Fund to help in the recovery of the tourism industry.

"Tourism is a force for good – creating economic and social value in every corner of Scotland and enhancing the wellbeing of everyone who experiences it. Tourism makes Scotland richer, economically and socially, and without it, Scotland would be a much poorer place."

Tourism Minister Ivan McKee said: "With the loss of many international tourists this year due to the pandemic, this £4 million fund will boost local visitor numbers and support the recovery of Scotland’s world-class tourism attractions.

"Scotland’s tourism industry is a central plank of our economy and as we begin to carefully emerge and recover from the pandemic, we must work with the tourism industry to seize Scotland’s potential and build an economy for everyone by delivering greater, greener and fairer prosperity."

Visitor attractions, day tour excursions and activity providers interested in applying for the scheme should visit https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/funding/days-out-incentive-fund. Applications will open from noon on October 5 until 5pm on October 12.

Discounts will be applied for bookings taking place between November 4 and February 18.


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