Scotland’s tourism minister has confirmed cuts to visitor services in Strathearn.
The decision to close Crieff’s well-used tourist information centre has led to claims that vitally important tourism will be hit.
Fergus Ewing MSP said there could be even greater cuts to traditional tourist information services in the face of funding cuts and changes in consumer behaviour.
That could mean further centre closures, but he denied these would adversely affect tourism and rejected the need for a meeting with concerned politicians.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith has been among those to write to the minister to express serious concerns.
Mr Ewing, however, told her that VisitScotland was looking at where and how it delivers information in Perthshire, to ensure it “reacts to and meets customer trends and expectations”.
He said there was a need to assess the service in the face of funding cuts, while a number of sites were “no longer performing well”, primarily due to “changes in consumer behaviour and the increase of smartphone usage”.
“VisitScotland remains committed to operating the information centres (in Perthshire) for the coming season, while exploring options to secure the long-term provision.
“Information provision in Crieff will be maintained but it may be via a partnership or other method of delivery,” he said.
Ms Smith said: “It is concerning that VisitScotland are looking to cut tourist information available in Crieff.
“It is quite frankly astonishing that we could see the closure of the tourist information centre in Crieff following a year which is potentially going to be the biggest year for Scottish tourism in Strathearn with Scotland hosting the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
“Tourism is at the heart of the local economy both in Strathearn and across Perthshire. The Crieff tourist information centre has recently seen investment with new external rebranding which clearly, if it is closed, will have been a total waste of taxpayers’ money.
“Tourism is vital to the local economy in Strathearn and businesses will want answers as to how the area will be promoted.”