Trading in Scots hospitality and tourism 'brutal'

HOSPITALITY and tourism chiefs have spoken of the “brutal” conditions facing the sector.

- By Katrine Bussey

MSPs were told yesterday how customers are resorting to drastic measures in a bid to save cash.

Marc Crothall, chief executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, was speaking as he addressed Holyrood’s Economy Committee.

He said: “The first half of this year was brutal.

“Guests come in and they share a glass of wine now, they are sharing a bowl of soup, because the visitor spend is actually being really compromised.”

He described the situation for tourism in Scotland as “very, very challenging”.

Mr Crothall continued: “Certainly, the number of visitors didn’t flow through at the levels we would have wanted to see.”

Spending

He said there had been a “significant decline in domestic tourists” and that visitors from America had been “very much our saving grace”.