SUPPORT FOR TOURIST INDUSTRY VITAL IN HOMECOMING YEAR - SMITH

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 13th Apr 2009

Commenting on PKF figures showing a disappointing start to the year for Scotland's hoteliers, Liberal Democrat Tourism spokesperson Iain Smith MSP said:

"Globe-trotting Ministers should be doing more to promote tourism and less to promote Scottish nationalism when they're abroad.

"But hoteliers should take heart from reports this weekend that European tourists are taking advantage of the strong Euro to visit Scotland and many people in the UK headed north this weekend to mark Easter, rather than jetting off abroad.

"But, the Scottish Government needs to make sure that it supports our home tourism industry in this, the year of Homecoming. Ministers should remember that Homecoming Scotland isn't just about flash celebrity adverts, but should also be about supporting the infrastructure that's vital for our tourist trade."

Ends.