The Outer Hebrides Tourism Association has undertaken to:
- provide an independent voice for the industry
- provide opportunities for businesses to meet locally to discuss tourism matters
- provide a mechanism for consultation of local tourism businesses
- involve all local businesses interested in tourism
- elect area representatives to the Strategic Tourism Group and so have input to tourism development in the islands
- contribute to the development of the 3-year tourism strategy from 2006-2009
- provide platform to enable local marketing initiatives to be progressed, such as for a local presence at tourism exhibitions of which Expo is an example, and to liaise with VisitScotland both locally and nationally; CnES and HIE Innse Gall
- develop ideas locally for tourism promotion and development
- provide a platform for businesses to apply for financial assistance from VisitScotland Challenge Fund, HIE Innse Gall, CnES, and other bodies
- co-ordinate industry views for media and political lobbying purposes
- influence VisitScotland to ensure that appropriate marketing opportunities are made available to island businesses at an appropriate cost
- provide representation to influence other bodies such as Caledonian MacBrayne
- provide industry support to the local VisitScotland office
- provide industry representation at tourism conferences, openings etc.
- raise the profile of the importance of the local tourism industry
- ensure that business development and training opportunities are provided for the local tourism industry
- contribute to development projects such as marketing, branding, and wider economic activity throughout the islands
- provide a channel for VisitScotland and other agencies to disseminate information to the local tourism industry
- provide a consultation forum for any organisation seeking the views of the local tourism industry
- champion the cause of the local tourism industry businesses in the islands
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