Visit Scotland | Alba
Article published 14/03/2023

Sustainable economic growth and community prosperity are the key objectives of ongoing work by a group of major organisations to co-develop a new responsible tourism strategy for the South of Scotland in collaboration with local stakeholders. 

David Hope-Jones OBE, new-in-post Chief Executive of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) shared the latest information on the joint strategy as he welcomed guests to the SSDA’s second major annual conference, held this year at Peebles Hydro on Tuesday 14 March. 

Through 2023, businesses, organisations, community groups and individuals will be able to feed into the development of the new responsible tourism strategy for the south of Scotland. We will be working with the SSDA on this, alongside the South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), Scottish Borders Council and Dumfries & Galloway Council.   

SSDA conference 2023

In the picture: Mark Rowley, Strategy Manager Tourism, SOSE; David Hope-Jones OBE, CEO, SSDA; Annique Armstrong, Destination Development Director (South of Scotland), VisitScotland; Councillor Euan Jardine, Leader of Scottish Borders Council; Councillor Scott Hamilton, Scottish Borders Council

For me, 2023 is all about partnership and collaboration, as all the key agencies come together to agree an exciting and ambitious new responsible tourism strategy and action place for the South of Scotland.

A key priority for me is ensuring every single business, organisation, community group and individual that wants to is able to feed into this new strategy. It needs to be owned by all and it needs to deliver real, sustainable economic impact.

Our work will continue throughout the year and we aim to publish our strategy and accompanying action plan, agreed by all parties, by the end of December 2023.

David Hope-Jones OBE, SSDA Chief Executive

The development of a responsible tourism strategy and action plan for the South of Scotland supports our ambitions for Scotland to be a world leader in 21st century tourism.

We are working with our industry and visitors to ensure we are taking collaborative action to protect Scotland’s world-famous natural assets and renowned tourism offering, with a focus on responsible tourism for a sustainable future.

We would encourage the tourism and events industry in the South of Scotland to get involved in the development of this strategy and work together to make Scotland a better place for people to live and visit.

Rob Dickson, VisitScotland Director of Industry and Destination Development

You can follow the South of Scotland Destination Alliance on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date on the latest developments on the strategy.

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