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Tourism
Topic Goal
To create a sustainable tourism industry that achieves long
term economic development and avoids damage to the natural and built
environment.
10.1 Tourism holds out important economic opportunities
for Shetland. In 1998 tourism produced an output roughly equivalent to
agriculture (£12m) and well above knitwear (£5.4m). It is estimated
that tourism supports, either directly or indirectly, over 950 jobs. In a
fragile rural economy, the tourism industry offers the prospect of real growth.
10.2 Shetland tourism depends on an interest in the
natural environment of Shetland, particularly its bird life and distinctive
landscape, and on the islands' treasury of buildings and prehistoric remains.
Foremost attractions, include the National Nature Reserves of Hermaness and
Noss, the RSPB Reserve at Sumburgh Head, Lerwick's historic town centre and
museum, the Broch of Mousa, and the large and complex multi-period settlements
at Jarlshof and Old Scatness. The preservation of Shetland's built heritage and
the maintenance of a clean, productive natural environment, with its associated
landscapes and wildlife, is therefore critical to the future development of the
tourism industry. The Shetland Interpretive Plan assists in this goal by
helping to improve understanding of the natural, built and cultural heritage.
10.3 The Council's aims in respect of tourism have been
set out in the Shetland Tourism Strategy that was prepared in 1999, in
partnership with Shetland Enterprise and Shetland Islands Tourism. The
implementation of this strategy will be by means of an Action Plan that will be
completed by the year 2000.
Accessibility and reducing the need to travel
10.4 In Shetland there is also a need to spread the
benefits of tourism throughout the islands to help diversify the rural economy.
Positive planning policies can assist the process of tourism development by
supporting applications that result in improved or new tourist facilities. The
private car clearly plays an important part in tourism in Shetland. However,
with regard to major tourism proposals it will be important to consider the
extent to which access will be possible by other means of transport.
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Policy TOUR SP1
(a) are suitable in scale and form for
the locality;
(b) are based on a local environmental
or heritage feature, or rural activity;
(c) help to diversify the rural
economy;
(d) do not have adverse effect on the
landscape, the best and most versatile
agricultural
land, nature conservation, the historic environment or the
amenity of the
area;
(e) are accessible by means other than
a private car and where possible to the
wheelchair
bound and disabled;
(f) provide opportunities for the
interpretation and enjoyment of the area's
heritage.
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Market Cross, Lerwick during the 1999 Cutty Sark Tall Ships
Race. The Market Cross is the hub of Lerwick for both locals and tourists.
(Photograph: Dennis Coutts)
Partners
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SIC Development Committee |
Economic Development Forum |
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Shetland Enterprise |
Shetland Tourist Board |
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Shetland Amenity Trust |
Scottish Natural Heritage |
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SEPA |
RSPB |
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Visitor Attractions and Interpretation Development
Group |
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Strategies
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Shetland Tourism Strategy |
Shetland Interpretive Plan |
Plan Performance Indicators
- Number of buildings re-used/created for tourist use.
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