Skye is Scotland’s second most popular destination. The data shows that visitor numbers continue to grow each year and now exceed pre-covid levels. It is alarming that a destination like Skye faces the real possibility of not having a body...
Read More
Mini Bite – from Alistair Danter – 15th November 2021
In Alistair's Mini Bite below you'll find information on Alistair Danter's work as Project Manager for SkyeConnect.
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
There have been a busy couple of weeks since the last “mini-bite”, as several long term initiatives are now starting to take place.
The members page of the website https://skye-connect.com/key-benefits/ has regular project updates. If you have any questions or ideas related to these projects please contact the team through the page.
In other news we are delighted to see that facebook has announced a collaboration with https://fullfact.org to assist with efforts to stop the spread of misinformation. Skye has certainly been the victim of online misinformation so any efforts to get the Facebook facts correct are much appreciated.
Meanwhile at SkyeConnect HQ…….
Quick Skip
SEALL Live Events
Don’t forget that SEALL’s Small Halls Festival is running throughout November. Further information on events and ticket information is available on SEALL’s website.
Covid Bounce Back Loans
We received information that businesses in receipt of bounce back loans taken out during the early months of the Covid pandemic have an opportunity to reschedule these loans. You can find out more information at: https://bit.ly/3CkYs9U
Scottish Tourism Alliance Bounce Back Loan Survey
The Scottish Tourism Alliance is keen to hear from any businesses that took out bounce back loans and wants to know what support businesses would like to see from government during the recovery phase. The STA survey will take just 3 minutes to complete and the results will form a vital part of future STA discussions with both the UK and the Scottish Government on the continued support needed for tourism businesses.
You can complete the survey by following this link: https://bit.ly/3HkIgJz
Hotelier and Restauranteur Meeting
The SkyeConnect Hotel and Restaurateurs Group met on the 3rd of November. Marc Crothall (CEO – STA) gave a presentation on the UK Hoteliers Charter https://hotelierscharter.org.uk. The Charter seeks to set standards of best practice values for employees considering hospitality as a career. These values can also be promoted to consumers. The meeting also discussed the benefits of a Carbon monitoring tool developed by Edinburgh University Business School for use by the catering sector. The tool currently focusses on commercial catering for schools including menus, waste and purchasing practice. Any business interested in development of the tool should contact info@skye-connect.com
North Skye Iconic Sites Group
The quarterly meeting of the North Skye Iconic sites group – SkyeConnect / NatureScot / SGRPID / OATS / Staffin Community Trust and Minginish Community Hall Association – reviewed progress on footpath construction, bridge building, re-vegetation and interpretation works at the Fairy Pools, Quiraing and Old Man of Storr. Additional works in progress include footpath works at Brothers Point, Lealt falls, Meall na Suirimach and Claggan / Coral Beach
Recycling in Skye & Lochalsh
A SkyeConnect member has brought a particular recycling issue to our attention. The business concerned produces more recyclable waste than landfill. The Highland Council currently only offers fortnightly uplifts of recycling waste , but weekly uplifts of landfill. Every year, prior to contract renewal, the business has requested weekly uplifts of recyclable waste. THC’s solution to date has been to suggest to the business that they buy more recycling bins. We have also had reports from the campsite sector and Self Catering that this year guests have not been good at separating recycled from landfill waste. Does this reflect the predominance of UK visitors over European visitors this year? We would be grateful if you could pass on any experiences that your business has related to waste collection in order that we can raise them with the Council info@skye-connect.com
VisitScotland Promotions
Please click on the following links to view the most recent promotions and updates from VisitScotland.
New marketing film | Tread lightly – News | VisitScotland.org
UNESCO National Trail of Scotland – Get involved – News | VisitScotland.org
Responsible Tourism –https://bit.ly/3onS4K0
Brand Scotland Campaign
Brand Scotland has launched a new nation campaign and the first brand marque for Scotland that aims to build awareness of the values that make Scotland a good global citizen and to inspire international audiences to live, work, visit, study, and do business here . The new 80 second brand film called ‘Scotland is Open’ showcases our values (Welcoming, Generosity of Spirit, Pioneering, Determined, and Creative) in a way that is inspiring, has strong emotional appeal and can firmly position us as a ‘force for good’ representing an international outlook built on kindness, equality, fairness, and climate. Follow this link for further information – https://bit.ly/3ngrByL
Skyetime Podcast with Nigel Patterson, West Highland College
In the latest episode of the Skyetime Podcast, Simon Cousins looks at some of the issues surrounding the employment crisis facing the hospitality sector. His guest is the business development manager of West Highland College, Nigel Patterson. Nigel talks about their new approach to linking the college with local businesses and the assistance available for companies looking to recruit or train staff. Follow this link to listen to the podcast in full – https://bit.ly/3ceaTd8
Be Part of Our Community.
Join Today.
Stay SkyeConnected
More Updates
A Call for Support: A 10 Year Sustainable Tourism Strategy For Skye, Raasay & Lochalsh
SkyeConnect is leading the calls for a transformative initiative to develop a 10-year sustainable tourism strategy for Skye, Raasay, and Lochalsh. The aim is to position us as leaders in 21st-century tourism.
Read More
Mini Bite – Tourism Strategy, Skye Northern Lights, Business Heating Grants and more…
SkyeConnect leading the calls for a transformative initiative to develop a comprehensive 10-year sustainable tourism strategy for Skye, Raasay, and Lochalsh.
Read More
Destination Management & Long Term Strategy for Skye
Your participation in our surveys has allowed us to represent your voice locally, regionally, and nationally on many crucial issues. Now the Scottish Government cutbacks are poised to end the core operational funding essential for SkyeConnect and other DMOs across...
Read More