National Tourism Strategy

That the Parliament recognises the importance of tourism for jobs and the economy in all communities across Scotland; believes that the National Tourism Strategy, Scotland Outlook 2030, should consider different models of ownership of visitor accommodation; acknowledges the benefits of state-run hotels such as Spanish Paradors, which help to restore and keep alive heritage sites; considers that many heritage buildings could have been saved with such investment since this issue was raised in parliamentary questions S1W-24680 to S1W-24684 on 2 April 2002; agrees that state or community ownership of hotels in remote parts of Scotland, where tourism is seasonal, could provide the investment needed to upgrade facilities and provide skills-training and apprenticeships to create well-paid secure jobs; appreciates that public ownership would strengthen local economies in a sustainable way by facilitating a more direct contribution to the management of the surrounding tourist areas, and encourages more forward-thinking proposals.