Image source, PA

The Scottish government has been urged to undertake a "fundamental review" of the business rates system.

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has announced a 12.5% cap on increases to rates for hotels, pubs and restaurants as part of an ongoing revaluation.

Representatives of tourism and hospitality groups met Mr Mackay to urge a more permanent solution.

And Green MSP Andy Wightman echoed the call while attempting to block a rates order at a Holyrood committee.

Mr Mackay told Holyrood's local government committee that he was "open-minded to look at how we can improve" the rates system.

A Scottish government review of the rates system led by former RBS Scotland chairman Ken Barclay is due to report in the summer.

Image source, bbc

Conservative MSP Margaret Mitchell asks about business rates and the Barclay review.

What could be done to improve the business rates system she asks.

Willie MacLeod from British Hospitality Association says the assessor needs to get round the table with indusry and look at the approach to the sector.

Mr MacLeod says there is a concern about inconsistency of rates across the country if different local authortiies apply different rates.

Riddell Graham says agritourism is hugely important.

Mr Graham says Germany is Scotland's second biggest international market and he says he is concerned about the potential negative impacts Brexit could have.

Caroline Warburton from Scottish Tourism Alliance says she has been to Mofest for the last few years and says it is excellent.

Riddell Graham from VisitScotland says there is an events fund linked to themed years.

Mr Graham says that big events, such as the Open Golf Championship, puts pressure on local accommodation providers because of the amount of visitors it attracts.

He says Ayr B&B actually do well to assist and direct people attending this event despite what was being said earlier concerning regulation of the organisation.

Image source, Getty Images

The number of people working in Scottish tourism has risen by more than twice the rate of the UK as a whole, according to official figures published in January.

VisitScotland said the Office for National Statistics (ONS) data showed the number of people employed in the industry in Scotland grew by 11%.

UK-wide growth was just 4% in 2014-15, according to the VisitScotland, external.

The 217,000 people working in Scottish tourism accounts for 9% of the total number of jobs in Scotland.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Mairi Evans highlights events like Mofest which gets underway next week with Deacon Blue and the Beach Boys headlining.

Ms Evans raises the issues of lack of accommodation and the impact of Brexit.

David Weston from Scottish Bed and Breakfast Association says: "B&Bs and guest houses are often the only accommodation in rural areas."

Tom Campbell from North Coast 500 says corporates should be asked for donations.

Mr Campbell says that corporates need to understand that this investment will return a profit in the long term.

He says "we need to make a profit or we will be out of a job."

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Richard Lochhead says today's statistics are very positive and adds there is "massive untapped potential" still.

Mr Lochhead asks how to get the private sector on board with tourism initiatives.

Riddell Graham from VisitScotland says he will be meeting with Diageo this afternoon.

Mr Graham says he has been working with distilleries in Isla.

He says VisitScotland has been looking at engaging with local organisations and he says a number of destinations have tapped into the organisation's growth fund.

Caroline Warburton from the Scottish Tourism Alliance says there is no one model that has been successfully worked in Scotland which shows how innovative the sector is.

Ms Warburton says financial sustainability is the key issue for these destinations.

She says collaboration and leadership are key with marketing.

The North Coast 500 has been described as one of the world's top six road trips.

The route launched in 2016 and has brought tourists to the area. Durness has seen the area's first 24-hour fuel stop.

Local residents have been calling for improved infrastructure, worried that the area's single-track roads cannot handle the volume and speed of traffic, and for a crackdown on dangerous driving.

Organisers behind the route say they are aware of the difficulties and will continue working to help all road users.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Kate Forbes asks about the North Coast 500 model.

Tom Campbell from North Coast 500 says the model had to be different and long term and it was about "monetising the brand".

Mr Campbell says the key was in monetising the brand for longevity.

Eva McDiarmid from the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions says lack of digital connectivity has been an issue according to the industry and visitors.

Ms McDiarmid says she feels passionate about purchasing local food and drink and that there is not much being done to market this internally.

Image source, VisitScotland

VisitScotland.com, external is the official consumer website of VisitScotland, Scotland’s national tourist board.

Working closely with private businesses, public agencies and local authorities, we work to ensure that our visitors experience the very best of Scotland and that the country makes the most of its outstanding tourism assets and realises its potential.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald raises the issue of the quality of food in Scotland and digital connectivity.

Riddell Graham from VisitScotland says he works closely with Scotland Food and Drink.

Mr Graham says over 1200 businesses have joined up to the Taste Our Best scheme.

He says a lot of visitors come with the perception food won't be good and find it better.

Mr Graham says digital connectivity is now the most significant factor visitors mention.

Image source, Scottish Tourism Alliance

Taken from the STA , externalwebsite:

"The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) is the overarching industry leadership group for tourism and the leading voice for the tourism sector in Scotland.

We are an independent trade body comprising of more than 250 trade associations , businesses, destination groups and other organisations with an interest in tourism. Having more than 70% of tourism business directly or indirectly under the umbrella of our membership our voice is one that is held in high regard by Scottish Government and other bodies.

The STA is also a member of the UK Tourism Industry Council representing the views of the Scottish Tourism industry at the UK Govt."

Tom Campbell from North Coast 500 says, in terms of working in the tourism sector, "it is a bit like retail, it is seen as a Cinderella."

Mr Campbell says it is seen as an industry that people work in while they are at university but not one where there is an opportunity for a career or progression.

Caroline Warburton from the Scottish Tourism Alliance says tourism must be talked up more because it is a great industry to work in and those working in the sector are "helping people enjoy their holidays."

Image source, bbc

Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “These figures underline Scotland’s appeal as a world-class tourism destination and are a credit to our tourism industry’s hard work to attract and welcome more than 2.7 million overseas visitors last year.

“We have seen an 18 per cent increase in the number of visits from North America and welcomed more than 1.6 million visitors from across Europe, highlighting the strength of our connections with the US and our neighbours on the continent.

“Our overseas visitors spent £1.85 billion in 2016, a 9% increase on the previous year and a welcome boost for our tourism and hospitality sectors and wider economy.

“We are committed to working with VisitScotland and the tourism sector to build further on Scotland’s reputation as a must visit, must return destination.”

Image source, BHA

Taken from the BHA website:

"Our mission is to champion the UK hospitality and tourism industry as the best in the world. We will do this by bringing together hospitality and tourism businesses with Government to deliver three clear aims:

• to secure valuable new jobs for our people;
• growth for our industry;
• and competitive advantage for our country

The causes which most matter to the hospitality community form the backbone of our work."

Image source, bbc

Willie MacLeod from British Hospitality Association says there are increased costs facing the sector.

Mr MacLeod calls for a permanent solution to the problem of business rates.

He says: "Something has to be done about the burden of business rates."

Image source, Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions

Taken from the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions, external website:

ASVA is the membership organisation for the best visitor attractions in Scotland.

There are around 450 sites across the country in membership and all are committed to offering the highest quality visitor experience at all times.