A Highlands and Islands MSP has contacted Scottish Ministers again calling for a freeze on any more closures of VisitScotland’s iCentres until the concerns of users, staff and union officials are properly considered.
The iCentres provide visitors information and local recommendations which are often valued by those spending a short time in any given area.
In March, the agency revealed that VisitScotland iCentres will be closing over the next two years. As well as offering advice, the iCentres also showcase gifts from local artists, small businesses and craftspeople. Many shocked locals from villages which benefitted greatly from the iCentres, such as Ullapool, argued that the decision had simply been taken for “cost-cutting” purposes.
She continued: “VisitScotland pushed forward and closed the Centre in Stornoway last month totally disregarding the concerns of users of the iCentre who bought Citylink bus tickets from there for onward travel from the ferry and without considering the impact the closure will have on local tourism related businesses.
“With depopulation being one of the biggest challenges facing Highland and Island areas it makes absolutely no sense to remove jobs and services from these areas. It is vital therefore that the Scottish Government freezes any more closures until the concerns that continue to be raised with me are properly addressed.”
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