Posted on Friday 13th March 2020 in General
MBTAG have collated some key information, guidelines and national resources in relation to COVID-19 and its impact on tourism businesses.
From next week onwards MBTAG will be focussing on a plan to drive and build digital intrigue for our destination and Scotland Starts Here. We must remain positive, creative and optimistic. Be there for each other and make a head start on planning for the season/s lying ahead and for 2021 which will hopefully see us rebuild with vigour and enthusiasm. We will be primarily focussing our digital marketing on staycations and the domestic market whilst also building online relationships with the travel trade for planning, training and development. We will get through this. We will turn Coronavirus on its Head!! Just like we did when we launched Scotland Starts Here by turning Scotland on its Head!
We can still tell our stories, we can still inspire and we will! We will share with you our key outputs for the STA Signature Conference next week – lets create more experiences at this time.
Please see below for:
Please ensure you follow National agencies and Governmental guidelines which include:
VisitScotland update | Monitoring the effect of Covid-19 on the Scottish tourism industry – PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY
We are closely monitoring the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) situation as it evolves and alongside our activities to provide advice and support during this difficult time, we’re proactively tracking the effects of Coronavirus on the industry. This is a rapidly changing situation and it’s important that we, alongside your valued regular input, can monitor developments.
We’ve created a survey which has been emailed out to all our business customers. We’d be very grateful if you could support by sharing with your members / businesses, and of course, should you run your own tourism business, by completing the questions regularly yourself.
This research will allow us to see not only the overall impact on Scottish tourism but also, the impact it is having across different regions, visitor markets and business sectors so that we can consider how best we might adapt our activities. It will also allow us to inform the Scottish Government, other industry bodies and any media enquiries. We can assure you that all responses are anonymous.
This survey will be undertaken regularly to contribute to our understanding of the impact of this outbreak, should businesses receive further requests to participate in forthcoming weeks we would appreciate their ongoing support.
We really appreciate you taking the time to assist us with this survey so that we can get a good understanding of the impact on Scottish tourism. We’re aware that VisitBritain is also currently undertaking research into the situation at a UK level.
Kind regards,
Riddell Graham
Director of Industry & Destination Development
VisitScotland
VisitScotland Advice and information | Coronavirus
We’re closely monitoring the Covid-19 situation as it develops to ensure we’re in the best position to work with the Scottish Government and other key partners to manage what’s happening as effectively as possible.
There are currently no travel restrictions in place for visitors travelling to Scotland, but businesses and visitors alike should follow all current guidance to minimise the spread of the virus.
Visitors from other affected countries are likely going through a stressful and worrying time and may be looking for advice and support regarding their visit or travel home.
Our dedicated VisitScotland.org Covid-19 advice page is being updated on a regular basis once new information is made available so that tourism businesses have access to the latest advice and can support current and future visitors as the situation evolves.
Scottish Enterprise Business Support
SE is launching a business support helpline offering information and support to businesses to manage the potential implications of COVID-19. The helpline will to go live on Friday, 13 March.
SE now has the following link on its website – https://www.scottish-enterprise.com/learning-zone/business-guides/components-folder/business-guides-listing/covid-19-advice-for-businesses-in-scotland
Additional info can also be found – https://www.scottish-enterprise.com/learning-zone/business-guides/components-folder/business-guides-listing/help-for-businesses-affected-by-a-collapse-in-the-supply-chain
Advice from Kallaway Consulting – ‘Enhancing reputation at a time of adversity’
Kallaway Consulting kindly held an online seminar on ‘Enhancing reputation at a time of adversity’. Though not specific for Covid-19, the content of the presentation is designed to help businesses adapt their response and marketing in difficult situations such as the one we are facing and MBTAG have pulled together some helpful pointers for you:
We are working to make the full presentation / further advice available on the MBTAG website.