Responsibilities

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