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Visit Scotland | Alba
Article published 18/11/2021

We're encouraging businesses to sign up to a new voucher scheme to help low income families, unpaid carers and disadvantaged young people who have been adversely affected by the pandemic enjoy a subsidised break in Scotland.

Administered on behalf of The Scottish Government, the ScotSpirit Holiday Voucher Scheme will deliver £1.4 million worth to be delivered by December 2022, and support tourism businesses to recover from the pandemic by stimulating the demand for off-peak domestic breaks and day visits.

The project is part of the £25 million tourism recovery programme announced by the First Minister in March 2021. The recovery proposals were developed by VisitScotland and approved by the Scottish Tourism Emergency Response Group (STERG) in collaboration with members of the Tourism Task Force.

The scheme is fully funded by The Scottish Government, and participating businesses will be paid for any booking made directly through the scheme by a method of their choosing. The scheme is open to bed and breakfasts, guest houses, hotels, hostels, camping/holiday parks, self-catering accommodation and visitor attractions across Scotland.

Working in partnership with several leading charities, Family Holiday Association and Shared Care Scotland will ensure the vouchers are distributed to people in the greatest need of benefits to their mental health and wellbeing. The allocation of vouchers to low income families, unpaid carers and disadvantaged young people will be done through an application process which will start once there are a sufficient number of businesses signed up to participate. 

Are you an accommodation provider or attraction interested in being part of the scheme? Find out more about the ScotSpirit Holiday Voucher Scheme and how to sign up to participate.

We’re encouraging as many tourism businesses as possible to be part of the ScotSpirit Holiday Voucher Scheme. Not only will you generate income for your business but you will also provide long lasting memories for people who don’t often get to experience a holiday. Tourism is a force for good – creating economic and social value in every corner of Scotland and enhancing the wellbeing of everyone who experiences it. Tourism makes Scotland richer, economically and socially, and without it Scotland would be a much poorer place.

Malcolm Roughead, VisitScotland Chief Executive

After more than a year of the pandemic, a holiday from the stresses of daily life is something we all look forward to. We pledged to deliver a holiday voucher scheme in the first 100 days of this government and we are delivering. The £1.4 million ScotSpirit Holiday Voucher Scheme will support many families and unpaid carers who might not have been able to take a break, to take some time out and explore Scotland.

I would encourage all tourism businesses to get involved with the scheme – not only will you be providing a welcome break for those who need it, but you’ll also generate income for your business and stimulate demand during the quieter winter months.

Whether you’ve got a hotel in the city, a hostel in the countryside or perhaps a B&B on the coast, do get involved and support the ScotSpirit Holiday Voucher Scheme, if you can.

Tourism Minister, Ivan McKee

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