Tourism

Tourism is worth over £240m to the Angus economy

Visitors support almost 4,000 FTE jobs

On average, visitors stay 4.2 nights, spending £30m on accommodation

Tourism is a priority sector for Angus, contributing £240 million to local economy and supporting 3,883 full-time equivalent jobs (2019). The Covid pandemic had far reaching effects on all parts of the visitor economy and supporting services. The statistics above report pre-Covid trends. Information for 2020 and 2021 is not reflective of the usual economic outputs for the area.

The Business Angus team work with the tourism sector to showcase the assets of Angus to visitors; improve the capability and capacity of the sector; enhance the visitor experience and maximise the potential of tourism driven by new developments and key events.

We co-ordinate the Visit Angus destination marketing campaign to raise the profile of Angus locally, nationally and internationally.

Angus Tourism Framework

In April 2019, a new Angus Tourism Framework was launched which was produced in collaboration with tourism businesses and key stakeholders including VisitScotland and the Angus Tourism Cooperative. The framework has identified priority themes as follows:

Industry Leadership & Collaboration
Pride of Place
Product & Experience Development
Marketing

Action plans are in place for each of the four priority themes. For more information, see the Angus Tourism Framework action plan.

To keep up to date with the latest business and funding opportunities, news and events, sign up to receive the monthly tourism enewsletter.

If you would like to get involved with any of the working groups, please get in touch.

Green Certification Schemes for Tourism Businesses

Sustainability certification schemes have a range of benefits. Taking part in a scheme is a great way of reviewing your environmental, social, and economic impact and facilitating action to maximise the positive benefits to your business and wider community and environment. Gaining green certification provides a good opportunity to showcase your green credentials as well as managing your sustainability actions.

As part of the Destination Net Zero Programme, the Sustainability Certification Scheme Fund for Tourism Recovery was launched, providing grant funding to certification providers to support businesses to recover from the impacts of COVID-19 in a sustainable manner. As a result, three sustainable tourism certification scheme providers were successful in securing funds to offer tourism businesses a membership fee discount.

The certification programme providers are offering a £500 discount to businesses joining their certification schemes before March 2023 (or until all funding is used up). The discounts are limited, and will be provided on a first come, first served basis.

Find out more and apply.

Destination Net Zero Electric Vehicle Charge Point Tourism Recovery Fund

The Destination Net Zero programme is one of the Scottish Government’s funded Covid-19 tourism recovery projects. It aims to provide support for businesses to develop their Net Zero Action Plans, building their resilience and aligning with Scottish Government targets.

The fund will contribute to businesses’ recovery and resilience and prepare Scottish Tourism for the future and the growth of electric vehicle (EV) usage.

Installing an EV charge point will enable businesses to demonstrate their commitment to responsible tourism practices and ensure their offering will make it easier for visitors to make environmentally conscious travel decisions.

The fund is open to all eligible tourism businesses in Scotland who have an appropriate space in which an EV charge point can be safely installed and used by visitors and staff.

The funding available is 75% of the total cost of the charge point and installation (including applicable VAT), up to a maximum of £15,000. Funding will be allocated on a first come, first served basis until 8 September 2022 (or earlier if budget is used before this date). Funding is not available for installations that have already taken place or for installations already in progress.

See full guidance and apply on the Energy Saving Trust website.

Regional Tourism

The four local authorities (Angus Council, Dundee City Council, Fife Council and Perth & Kinross Council), Scottish Enterprise and VisitScotland are working together to support the growth of the tourism sector across the region.

A new regional tourism strategy has been developed following consultation with tourism businesses and organisations, which aims to grow the volume and value of the visitor economy in the Tay Cities region.