A Highland Perthshire tourism provider is looking to innovative green technology to combat rising fuel prices.
Rising costs at the pumps have hit rural businesses and communities hard and Donald Riddell, director of Highland Safaris, believes they have the potential to ruin the rural economy.
He hopes the trial of new hydrogen technology, fitted to his fleet of Land Rovers, could cut fuel usage and save the business a small fortune. However, he is also clear the government needs to offer a helping hand and backed The Courier’s campaign to see a fuel duty regulator established.
Based near Aberfeldy, Highland Safaris offer visitors the chance to off-road, cycle and walk around 250,000 acres of scenery, exploring the hills of Highland Perthshire and discovering its wildlife.
The Land Rover safaris have been very popular since they were introduced, but Mr Riddell is concerned that with less money in their pockets, visitors will think twice about making their way to Highland Perthshire.
He is also faced with the ever increasing cost of keeping his fleet of vehicles on the road, with the cost of fuelling them having increased by around 20% over the past two years.
“We can only pass on the increases to customers so far and remain competitive within the local tourism market,” Mr Riddell said. “If we want to keep the prices low then we have no choice but to swallow the increases.
“We have five Land Rovers at present that are used for the safaris and while some people might say that they are not the most economical of vehicles I think this winter has shown the importance of having a 4×4 when living and working in the country.”
In a bid to address that dilemma, the business has been looking at ways of making the vehicles more economical. New hydrogen technology promises to both drop emissions and reduce fuel usage by up to 25% and if a trial proves successful it will be used with all five vehicles.
“For everyone living and working in rural areas the rising fuel prices have such a massive impact,” Mr Riddell added. “It is becoming a major problem and is adding a huge burden to already burdened rural businesses.
“December’s bad weather has so far had the biggest impact upon visitor numbers, which had been on a par with 2009 I think something of an achievement in the current economic climate.
“However, I’ve no doubt that the rising fuel prices will have a massive impact upon the number of visitors who come to the area. I’m happy to support The Courier’s campaign to lower fuel prices.”If you want to support the Courier’s call for a fuel duty regulator, click here to add your name to our petition.