A tourism website specifically set up to promote interests across Scotland has “snubbed” the North-East, it has been claimed.
Labour MSP Richard Baker was angered by what he called “a snub to the whole North-East” at the absence of events in the region on the EventScotland website.
The website lists events all over Scotland supported by national tourist board VisitScotland but the area and Northern Isles show no supported events.
However, it has emerged the problem with its promotional tool lies with the technology itself and the information is there if visitors can find it.
Neither location’s events appear in the “supported” section, nor does Mr Baker believe VisitScotland and EventScotland are “supporting any events,” while areas such as the Highlands have 13 featured entries.
Mr Baker said: “It is astonishing that there are no events taking place in the North-East of Scotland supported by the main tourism quango and advertised on the EventScotland website.
“The North-East is home to some fantastic attractions set amongst some beautiful scenery. We have a lot to offer tourists.
“Why is the region being snubbed in this way and why is it not receiving support in terms of high profile events?
“It is difficult to believe that there are no events being held in the region over the next two years that deserve Scottish Government support.”
However a technological explanation has been given by EventScotland, which said the issue will be rectified “as soon as possible”.
A spokesman said Mr Baker highlighted “an issue with the search function on eventscotland.org, which is not displaying the correct information when searching by region”.
“Events in the North-East and Northern Isles are however listed within the ‘supported events’ section, and can be found by looking through the full programme of events,” he added.
“This issue will be rectified as soon as possible and we will look to meet Mr Baker at the earliest opportunity to discuss our work with him in more detail.
“Eventscotland.org lists events supported directly by the directorate, while visitscotland.com also hosts a strong event listings section for visitors to the area.”
North-East Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone, who launched a bid to have Arbroath Abbey recognised as a world heritage site, said the mix-up is indicative of a Central Belt bias.
“The North-East of Scotland has a wealth of opportunities to promote events to draw in visitors and locals alike, and it is deeply disappointing that once again the central belt is the focus of investment at the expense of areas further north,” he said.
“What makes this worse is the fact that local organisations have put on some fantastic events that are highly professional and successful, that could benefit from the kind of support that VisitScotland or Event-Scotland could offer.”