HIGHLANDS and Islands Enterprise will not lose its fight to keep
responsibility for Highland tourism, despite proposals by the Scottish
Tourist Board to take it over, its outgoing chairman, Sir Robert Cowan,
predicted yesterday.
Sir Robert, who stands down today, and was also the longest serving
chairman of HIE's predecessor -- the Highlands and Islands Development
Board, was speaking at the launch of HIE's annual report.
He explained some of the background to the STB proposals that its
responsibilities should extend beyond the Highland line, taking over
HIE's #12m tourism budget:
''Scottish Enterprise is becoming increasingly involved in tourism,
and I think that is one of the reasons why STB is feeling threatened and
is looking for other roles for itself. But I think the politicial
support is predominantly with the enterprise organisations.
''The Scottish Tourist Board has chosen this time to make its attack
when it is not enjoying the greatest of reputations. This is partly
because hoteliers are looking for scapegoats to blame for a poor season,
and, perhaps unjustly, they blame the STB because its optimistic
predictions have gone a bit sour.''
Sir Robert said that the arguments in favour of retaining
responsibility for Highland tourism in the Highlands were irrefutable.
They had been made twice before, and twice before the Government had
accepted them, he was sure they would do so again.
''The different sectors of the economy are more inextricably mixed up
together than in other parts of the country. It really does not make any
sense to take tourism out of that, it would make just as much sense to
take agriculture or industry.
''You could easily just abolish the whole of us under rationalisation.
But then, what you would have is the situation where all the decisions,
about where the money is spent, being made in the central belt of
Scotland,'' he said.
Sir Robert looked back on his time in the HIDB and HIE charting
progress made in developing the Highlands, and the inherent difficulties
in that task.
''One has to recognise that many of the problems facing remote areas
and islands are not soluble. I don't think you will ever get to the
position where it is as easy to do business in the Western Isles as it
is in any other part of the country, so we will always have to have
special types of support,'' he added.
Sir Robert was launching HIE's first annual report. It showed that the
body had helped to create and retain 2700 jobs in its first year. He
predicted further gains despite the huge challenges posed by job losses
at the McDermott oil fabrication yard at Ardersier, the rundown of
Dounreay, and the withdrawal of the US navy from Cowal.
''We have confounded the sceptics who doubted the concept of local
enterprise companies. Our track record, in just one year, is impressive
and I believe it represents the start of a new era for development in
the Highlands and Islands.
''Certainly the network has tough tasks ahead, but no stone will be
left unturned to create jobs in affected areas. Now, more than ever,
there is a need for a network such as this.''
HIE's chief executive, Mr Iain Robertson, said there was a new spirit
of co-operation in the Highlands between HIE, local authorities, and
other bodies.
''The rapid and positive joint reactions to issues, like the recent
McDermott job loss announcement, is proof of this new attitude,'' he
said.
''The HIE network is designated for maximum effect, and rapid
response, able to cut out red tape, and the agencies, companies, and
organisations we work with are recognising that.''
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