visit scotland funding

Visit Scotland growth fund

You can access funding to deliver marketing campaigns to UK and International audiences. You need to be a constituted group of three or more independent tourism businesses, including destination organisations and sectoral groups. 

Find out more about the funding . 

Apply for funding

Make an initial enquiry .

Find out the application deadlines and when the panel meets. 

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STA Update: Scottish Government Budget 2024-2025 Statement – Highlights for Businesses

• Scottish Tourism News
• STA News , Industry News , STA Members News

The Scottish Government has today, Tuesday 19th December 2023, announced its Budget for 2024-2025. Read the full publication here .

A summary of the the main headlines for Scottish tourism and hospitality businesses are outlined below:  

-Deputy First Minister (DFM) opening statement: “At the heart of this budget is our social contract with the people of Scotland where those with the broadest shoulders are asked to contribute a little more.”

-DFM said Scottish Budget set in “turbulent circumstances.”

-The tourism budget is down 10.8% and will be £47m for 2024-25, compared to £52.7m during the last financial period. VisitScotland capital funding is down by 67%, from £7.9m to £2.6m, due to a reduction in funding available for the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund. VisitScotland revenue funding is down 4.5% to £38.6m compared to £40.4m last year.

– Inverness Castle is to receive a one-off investment of £2.6m .

-DFM ruled out passing on business rates relief like the UK Government, stating: “If I spent every penny of consequentials on business relief and tax cuts that would mean a real-terms cut to our NHS and other vital services.”

-Announced “number one ask of business” to freeze the poundage on the basic property rate, protecting businesses with a rateable value up to and including £51,000 from the impact of inflation. DFM said this would save rate payers £37m compared to an inflationary increase.

– Will maintain Small Business Bonus Scheme .

-“Recognise pressures” that hospitality sector faces and will be taking two actions through the New Deal for Business (NDFB) to be implemented in budget 2025-26:

1. Work with sector to explore long-term targeted solutions and better promotion of existing reliefs “rather than relying on short-term steps that do little for their future sustainability”, and 2. To examine with the Scottish Assessors the evaluation methodology for the hospitality sector to address concerns “that it’s not truly reflective of the experiences of these businesses.”

-In recognition of unique challenges faced by hospitality sector in island communities, in the current budget the Scottish Government will introduce 100% relief for hospitality properties in islands, capped at £110,000 per business .

-A new 45% income tax band will be introduced for people earning between £75,000 and £125,140.

– The top rate of income tax, paid by those earning more than £125,140, will also rise by 1p to 48p in the pound. It is estimated both these changes will raise £82m next year.

– The bands for the starter and basic income tax rate will be increased by inflation, but those paying the higher rate of 42% at £43,662 will be frozen rather than rising in line with inflation. The DFM said freezing the higher rate threshold would raise £307m.

-The Scottish Government announced it will fully fund the £144m council tax freeze.

-Next phase of the dualling of the A9 will be progressed in 2024-25, including commencing construction on the Tomatin to Moy section and advancing procurement and land acquisition for further sections.

-Around £2.5bn to be invested in public transport to support bus, rail and ferry networks – including over £425m investment in bus services through Network Support Grant and concessionary travel schemes; £434m to support Island communities through provision of ferry, port and harbour services; £1.6bn for rail to support passenger rail services, as well as the operation, maintenance, and renewal of rail infrastructure; and £220m for Active Travel.

-£358m announced to continue to accelerate energy efficiency upgrades and installation of clean heating systems, plus £49minvestment for Scotland’s transition to a circular economy.

-Increased funding for culture in 2024-25 by £15.8m, which will include restoring Creative Scotland’s budget. It was described as a “first step” in investing at least £100m more in arts and culture by 2028-29. Aim is to increase arts and culture investment in 2025-26 by at least a further £25m.

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New fund to support Marine and Outdoor Tourism

Adventure and marine tourism businesses in Scotland will be able to apply for a share of a new £2.5 million fund to help them prepare for the 2021 visitor season. 

The new fund will be launched towards the end of January and will be administered by VisitScotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. Sector Groups Wild Scotland and Sail Scotland who secured this funding of behalf of their sectors will be supporting VisitScotland throughout the process. The fund for these sectors is part of an overall £104.3 million package of support for tourism businesses announced yesterday.

The fund will support essential re-commissioning and re-start costs for businesses, aimed at those who have been significantly affected by the pandemic due to their seasonality and high set up costs associated with the activities they deliver.  It is aimed at responsible tourism operators who provide sustainable outdoor related activities to visitors on land and water, from wildlife watching to charter and sailing holidays, bushcraft and survival to canoeing and mountaineering. 

Scotland’s landscape and climate make it ideal for the growing interest from visitors in adventure and nature-related activities. The pandemic has seen an increase in outdoor adventures, with cycling, running and open-water swimming growing in popularity among Scots, both during and post lockdown.  

Businesses will be able to apply for grants of up to £15,000 and applications for the fund will open in late January.In advance of the fund going live, we will release full details of the fund, the eligibility criteria and what applicants will need to prepare for their application.

The final amounts awarded to a successful applicant will be determined once all applications are received. Due to the complexity and breadth of businesses within the sector a two-strand approach to grant funding is necessary to meet the needs of the sector. Businesses may only apply to one strand. 

“ The Coronavirus pandemic continues to have a devastating impact on the Scottish tourism industry, and our valuable marine and outdoor adventure sectors are no exception. Many businesses are struggling as a result of the pandemic, with more uncertainty ahead as we enter a period of tougher restrictions across Scotland.   “Recovery will require our collective efforts and this funding support will enable outdoor businesses to address some of the challenges they face around re-opening for 2021. Businesses across these sectors are at the heart of providing responsible, memorable experiences that connect visitors with Scotland’s great outdoors and our incredible Coasts and Waters.” “We are pleased to be able to work with our partners Sail Scotland and Wild Scotland in delivering the fund and look forward to releasing more details about how to apply in due course.”

 “Wild Scotland has played a vital role alongside Sail Scotland in securing this funding for such an important sector which is not only fundamental to Scotland’s economy but crucial to rural and fragile communities of Scotland. It is essential that businesses are ready to go at the start of the season, not only will they then be able to fulfil the potential demand for our incredible outdoor activities, wildlife watching experiences and marine activities, but the sector is incredibly well placed to drive the demand for tourism in Scotland which will support the wider recovery across the tourism industry.  “Outdoor tourism has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic, but it is also a sector with huge growth potential, particularly in the deliverance of sustainable and responsible tourism activities which in time will create new jobs and ensure Scotland is on the map as a world leading responsible tourism destination.     “This fund really does highlight the importance of the outdoor sector in Scotland and the vital role it will play in the recovery post COVID-19 both economically and mentally.” 

  “Recent industry surveys indicated over 75% of operators in the charter sector secured 2 months or less of trading in 2020. In addition, the 2m social distancing rules made it unviable for many charter, sail, cruise and day trip businesses to operate. Managers of local visitor moorings and pontoon services faced a vastly curtailed season, many of whom are not for profit community led groups operating on extremely thin margins. “The Fund aims to support operators meet the high re-commissioning and re-start costs associated with the sector and will provide much needed confidence to many operators. The importance of supporting the sector at this time of year is vital, not just for direct jobs but also the valuable economic benefits Marine Tourism brings to rural and remote coastal and island communities” 

Marine and Outdoor Adventure businesses to share in £2.5m

Asset type post

Word count 819 words

Expiry No expiry date

Released 22 December 2020 00:00

Added at 22 December 2020 11:15

Source: VisitScotland Media Toolkit

Credit Hamish Hutchinson

Usage Editorial content can be published in a variety of formats ranging from print or digital to online. In print content can be featured in *newspapers *magazines *brochures. Online content can be published in a *blog *website *article or *social media. Regardless of the format this content should always promote Scotland’s tourism in a positive way.

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Plan Your Holiday to Scotland

Planning a trip to Scotland? Not quite sure where to start? Well, you're in the right place!

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These resources have been selected to provide information on the Tourism industry in Scotland. Your local Business Gateway office can help you connect with other organisations and support networks to help you further your idea or business.

There to help all Scottish tourism businesses promote what they do best and find ways to exceed customer demands. With a range of products and services on offer, as well as a wealth of industry expertise available.

The types of project that could be supported include parking, camping facilities, disposal points (especially for camper vans) and toilet provision. The fund is a platform which will provide leverage of additional and focused investment, stimulate collaboration and build capacity within communities.

If you’re working on a collaborative tourism marketing campaign which focuses on growth in the tourism sector, you might be interested in applying to our Growth Fund.

The STA is the largest member organisation for tourism businesses in Scotland and the leading representative body for its tourism industry. Our focus is to shape and influence the creation of industry friendly policy through evidence to enable Scotland’s tourism industry to reach its growth potential.

Established in 1990, the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) today is widely recognized as a vital leadership voice and partner for the adventure travel industry around the world.

The Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA) is the professional organisation promoting high professional standards in the field of genealogy and historical research in England and Wales.

The Edinburgh Centre for Global History promotes research into global connections and comparisons from antiquity to the present day at the University of Edinburgh.

The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) is an umbrella organisation that represents 122 of Britain's best independent tour operators.

Play Scotland, the National organisation for Play in Scotland.

The Association of Play Industries (API) is the lead trade body in the play sector. It represents the interests of manufacturers, installers, designers and distributors of both outdoor and indoor play equipment and safer surfacing.

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) is the leading source of knowledge on short-term letting and holiday homes in Scotland. The ASSC is the only trade body representing the interests of the traditional self-catering sector. It has more than 650 Members, operating in excess of 7,000 self-catering properties throughout Scotland, from city centre apartments, to rural cottages, to lodges and chalets, to castles.

The British Holiday & Home Parks Association is the only organisation established exclusively to serve and represent the interests of the parks industry in the UK.

UK Hospitality is the powerful voice representing the broad hospitality sector – covering everything from bars, coffee shops, contract catering, hotels, nightclubs, visitor attractions and other leisure venues.

Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland is a unique charity for the hospitality industry in Scotland, encouraging the development of anyone working or studying in the sector.

The Bed & Breakfast Association is the UK trade association for B&Bs, Guest Houses and small independent hotels.

Event Scotland provides advice on funding opportunities, access to resources and information about EventScotland and Development teams which sit within VisitScotland Events Directorate, alongside Business Events.

An aspirational must-be-a-member trade association and to deliver exceptional value to all employees as part of whole-agency membership proposition.

NOEA is proud to be the only association within the broad spectrum of the UK event industry to have a vibrant chapter in Scotland.

The Outdoor Industries Association (OIA) CIC is a non-profit membership organisation that provides advocacy, representation, promotion, leadership and the opportunity for the outdoor recreational industries, to unite with a single common voice.

Wild Scotland is the Scottish wildlife and adventure tourism association and our members offer all types of outdoor activities, including walking holidays, cycling, mountain biking, sailing, whale-watching, fishing and all kinds of adventures!

The Institute for Outdoor Learning is the professional body for organisations and individuals who use the outdoors to make a difference for others.

BTA has been a trusted travel brand for more than 65 years, offering advice and guidance to the travelling public, as well as leading the travel industry in supporting high service standards, working with our Members on health and safety, and promoting responsible tourism at home and abroad.

The SPAA (Scottish Passenger Agents' Association) today represents all of Scotland's major travel agents within its Membership, working increasingly pro-actively with a growing group of Associate Members – our Principals – to address the issues and meet the challenges of the constantly changing travel marketplace, thereby protecting the interests of our mutual clients throughout the nation and beyond.

The Adventure Travel Trade Association inspires, connects and empowers the global community to do good through travel.

Helping businesses across Scotland with free advice, workshops, 1:1 expert support, online tools, guides and a quick healthcheck to assess your digital strengths and weaknesses.

Guidance on the policies and interventions in place to support Scottish SMEs.

Healthy Working Lives is the place to come to if you are an employer in Scotland looking for workplace health, safety and wellbeing information.

Support agency for the Northern regions of Scotland which focusses on Innovation, trading internationally, funding/investment, skills development and more.

Focussed on assisting businesses who are looking to accelerate and grow through exporting, developing products and services, funding and business development.

From innovative technology start-ups and global online service businesses that are transforming our lives to the universities that train our skilled people, ScotlandIS has developed a thriving membership and community for the economic benefit of everyone.

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is Scotland’s national skills body. They contribute to Scotland’s sustainable economic growth by supporting people and businesses to develop and apply their skills.

Loans from 25K to 100K for new and growing Scottish SMEs.

Grants to nurture creative talent in young people aged between 14 and 20 years old.

Support, funding, campaigns and other interventions to help people and businesses reduce waste and be more efficient with resources.

Funding projects that connect people and communities to the national, regional and local heritage of the UK.

Just Enterprise is a consortium formed from Scotland's key social enterprise support agencies. Collectively, they are able to provide expert Start Up, Business Support, Business Recovery, Procurement, Leadership and Learning Services, to third sector organisations across the length and breadth of the country.

Every young person should have the chance to succeed. PTS help young people in Scotland get into education, jobs and start businesses.

Search this website to find out about what other business support may be available to you.

Led by Women’s Enterprise Scotland this centre is to help women achieve their business aspirations, make connections, up-skill and get support.

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Tourism and events

Tourism and events is one of Scotland's most important industries, helping to create wealth and jobs and build upon our strong international reputation.

We aim to help our tourism and events industry to grow further and to attract more visitors to Scotland.

We support Scotland's tourism and events industry by:

• sponsoring our national tourism organisation VisitScotland (view  VisitScotland's corporate website  and  VisitScotland's website for citizens )
• working with public, private and third-sector partners to deliver the industry-led tourism strategy ' Scotland Outlook 2030: Responsible Tourism for a Sustainable Future '
• providing  support for tourism businesses
• assisting with arranging meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions through  ConventionScotland
• introducing proposals to give councils powers to introduce a visitor levy (or tourism tax), to  invest in local facilities and services

Scotland’s tourism and hospitality sector covers a diverse range of businesses, including tourist attractions, accommodation providers, travel providers, restaurants, cafes and bars.

As well as playing a key role in Scotland’s economy, tourism and hospitality contributes to thriving communities, through supporting local and regional development and promoting local businesses, creating jobs and enabling visitors and residents alike to experience the incredible offer we have here in Scotland.

The tourism sector, along with the hospitality sector, is globally recognised as having been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective recovery is vital in ensuring the sector can continue to be a force for good in the local and national economy – through fair work, sustainable jobs and value for communities – and place Scotland as a world leader in responsible tourism.

We are committed to working with Scotland’s tourism industry and other partners to support the recovery of the sector in a sustainable and inclusive manner.

National Tourism Strategy: Scotland Outlook 2030: Responsible Tourism For A Sustainable Future

The national tourism strategy, ‘Scotland Outlook 2030: Responsible Tourism For A Sustainable Future’, was launched in March 2020.

Read more about the strategy on the Scottish Tourism Alliance website .

Bills and legislation

• the Development of Tourism Act 1969 established a British Tourist Authority and the Tourist Boards of Scotland, England and Wales
• the Tourist Boards (Scotland) Act 2006 renamed the Scottish Tourist Board as VisitScotland and increased the maximum number of board members it could have
• Section 90 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 sets out the powers of local authorities in terms of tourism-related activities
• Section 23 of the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985 gave powers to ministers to make grants to any body whose activities appear to be likely to promote the development or understanding of cultural or scientific matters

E-mail: [email protected]

Telephone: 0131 244 0031

Post: Scottish Government Tourism and Events Division Directorate for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Area 2J (South) Victoria Quay Edinburgh EH6 6QQ

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Edinburgh International Festival Opening Event

Edinburgh international festival launch festival season with spectacular multi-art form experience.

The Edinburgh International Festival, in partnership with The Macallan, has today (18 June) announced the full details of Opening Event: Where to Begin . The large-scale visually spectacular outdoor event will open the 2024 International Festival.

Responding to this year’s International Festival theme, Rituals That Unite Us, Opening Event: Where to Begin welcomes visitors from near and far to discover and share in a new ritual together, for the International Festival and the City of Edinburgh.

Opening Event: Where to Begin will transform the grounds and architecture of George Heriot's in Edinburgh’s Old Town, a never-before-used venue for the International Festival. The production is devised by an extraordinary creative team led by Creative Director Katy Fuller at Pinwheel, blending:

• immersive installation
• live performance
• large-scale video projection
• captivating storytelling

Credit: Edinburgh International Festival / Daniel Quirke

This large-scale communal experience celebrates the creative force of the city and the International Festival.

To kickstart Edinburgh’s festival season in style, Opening Event: Where to Begin takes place across three nights, starting at dusk, from Friday 2 August to Sunday 4 August. The final night’s audio will be described and captioned.

Opening Event: Where to Begin takes inspiration from Edinburgh’s iconic landscape as a city built on layers. It imagines what hidden power may be found in those vaults and tunnels.

Visitors are welcomed to the grounds of George Heriot's, which comes alive with the flicker of flames. They will be taken on a journey through this extraordinary environment before congregating to experience the story of why they are gathered there, played out as a spectacular video projection.

The site-specific experience draws on a combined heritage between the incomparable single malt Scotch whisky The Macallan and the International Festival. It celebrates the creativity, excellence and height of achievement that lies within the Scottish identity.

Intricately weaving together stories of Scottish mythology and heritage, participatory moments of the event are anchored in Scottish history, such as the Scottish New Year tradition (Hogmanay) of first footing, and the people of Edinburgh’s donations of coal to light up Edinburgh Castle for the very first International Festival in 1947.

Opening Event: Where to Begin is created by Pinwheel, in collaboration with Edinburgh International Festival and principal partner The Macallan with additional support from EventScotland. Led by creative director Katy Fuller, Pinwheel specialises in creating breath-taking outdoor events, underpinned by imaginative storytelling.

Opening Event: Where to Begin is a ticketed experience

Tickets at £15 and concessions from £7.50 available. The event runs from 2-4 August. Entry is between 9:45pm and 10:15pm.

This year, we've invited everyone to participate in our 2024 theme, Rituals That Unite Us. Opening Event: Where to Begin in partnership with The Macallan, marks the first of a new ritual, both for our Festival and the city. We know audiences will be blown away by this spectacle, and we're proud to show the formidable creative power and potential of Edinburgh and its people to the world. It's an event that beckons us to find new ways to experience and appreciate our city. Edinburgh International Festival Director, Nicola Benedetti

The Edinburgh International Festival is one of Scotland’s key signature events and cultural assets. EventScotland is proud to be continuing its support of the Festival’s Opening Event, having supported it through our International Programme since its inception in 2015. Events play an important role in our communities, and as part of an enviable portfolio of annual events and festivals that deliver sustainable impacts and international profile for Scotland, the Opening Event: Where to Begin will provide the perfect stage for visitors and locals to unite and immerse themselves in a unique and memorable experience. Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland Director of Events

I'm proud to see The Macallan's creative partnership with the Edinburgh International Festival come to life in August. Both the International Festival and The Macallan hold a deep commitment to excellence and artistic innovation, rooted in our shared, rich Scottish heritage. As The Macallan celebrates our 200th anniversary this year, we are proud to partner with the International Festival to create an unmissable start to the festival season. Where to Begin will captivate audiences with stories of Scotland's past, present and future, and will offer the inspiration that only a live event like this can offer. Jaume Ferràs, Global Creative Director, The Macallan

I’m thrilled to create a new Opening Event for Edinburgh International Festival in partnership with The Macallan. Our story pays tribute to this most remarkable of cities and the unstoppable creative energy which pervades it every August. We celebrate the alchemy that happens when exceptional artistry meets expectant audience and the connection, emotion and inspiration that characterises a festival in full force. We look forward to welcoming audiences to join us and play their part in igniting the 2024 International Festival. Creative Director of Pinwheel, Katy Fuller

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