Industry leaders in Scotland have demanded more support from the Government for the country’s tourism sector if it is to achieve its ambitious growth target of 50% by 2015.

At a seminar held at Murrayshall Hotel in Perth last week, Scottish tourism professionals, including leading hoteliers and representatives from tourism body VisitScotland, said that despite the difficult economic climate the target remained achievable.

However, they called on the Government to provide greater support for skills training, as well as a bigger investment in the sector to help it boost its quality of service and infrastructure.

Andy Birrell, a partner at law firm HBJ Gateley Wareing, said: “What the seminar indicated was that, with all sectors working together and the right investment in education, training and marketing, the Scottish Government’s target is indeed achievable.”

Max Gaunt, chief executive of hospitality consultancy RGA, said a broader range of input was needed into the tourism model to ensure that VisitScotland gained control over the product.

In April VisitScotland cast doubt on whether growth targets for the country’s tourism industry were realistic given current government support.

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By Kerstin Kühn

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