The potential threat to a key Angus visitor attraction has triggered a call for a fresh look at the wider promotion of the district’s tourism product.
As councillors ponder the future of the Pictavia centre on the outskirts of Brechin following the news it could be under threat due to VisitScotland cutbacks, leading elected members have delivered a ‘must do better’ message over the way the area shouts about its rich heritage and world-class natural assets such as the Angus glens.
Pictavia’s future is under scrutiny after the national tourism body told the council it is considering closing its tourist information point there because of dwindling visitor numbers.
Under an informal arrangement, VisitScotland staff help operate the facility, but the local authority fears that if they go the costs of staffing the Pictish attraction might not prove viable.
Talks on the way forward for Pictavia will continue and VisitScotland have agreed to keep the Brechin information centre operational until October next year.
Infrastructure services committee members said, however, that the Pictavia situation should be seen as a catalyst for a fresh overview of tourist information services.
Committee convener Mairi Evans said: “This gives us a good chance to look at what we are doing there, and what we can do in the future. Tourism is vital to the whole of Angus.”
Councillor Bob Spink added: “It is vital we keep a broad spectrum and to be successful, tourist information must have a prominent location.
“We need to look at other areas and how we will promote tourism in Angus together, not just as individual attractions or towns. Arbroath seems to be working, but every effort should be made to promote what we have got.
“I don’t think we do a good enough job at the moment and we need to look forward at that.”
Councillor Bill Bowles said it was pointless to have tourist information facilities operating at times or in places which did not meet visitor needs.
“Providing tourist information through places like libraries is not ideal if we are trying to reach the tourists who are coming in on Sundays or at nights.
“There are other possibilities such as pubs or restaurants, where tourists go and which are open at those times so I think we need to look closely at the whole question of tourist information provision.”