MTF Business and Networking Event - Community Tourism and Collaboration

We will hear from some of our local associations & enterprises at the heart of the Midlothian Community. We will hear about collaboration projects, tourism related developments, case studies and about priorities within our communities.

There will be opportunity to network as ever and discover new contacts and collaborators too

Anticipated input from Dalkeith Museum, Penicuik Storehouse, Glencorse Centre, Gorebridge Beacon and VOCAL.

We will also have David Scott from Ironside Farrar at the meeting to brief us on the Sustainable Tourism Infrastructure Development (STID)’ Study for Midlothian Council.

He explained

The STID is a study that sets out key priorities, identifies hotspots and considers projects to alleviate pressures associated with tourism infrastructure. It is used to identify and prioritise projects, and then to support funding bids (primarily RTIF) for implementation. The primary aim of the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) is to improve the visitor experience in rural areas experiencing pressure from a high number of visitors, while also addressing negative impacts on local communities and the environment. The fund, established by the Scottish Government and managed by VisitScotland, focuses on providing capital investment for physical infrastructure projects.

Eligible projects will be aimed at improving the visitor experience in rural area, e.g. new paths, toilets, motorhome facilities, information signage, and initiatives that promote sustainable travel.

We are at the beginning of a 12 wk programme and in this initial phase are looking to identify the hotspots and begin conversations with stakeholders.