The Oban Times – Susan Windrow 

Scotland’s community tourism network is launching a nationwide roadshow in a bid to support existing community tourism providers and encourage more communities to take a lead in providing grassroots owned tourism facilities and services.

The roadshow runs until March and will take in 25 locations across Scotland, including venues in Lochaber, the West Highlands, Skye and Argyll.

SCOTO, which launched last year and now has over 100 members across Scotland, hopes the roadshow will raise the profile of community tourism across Scotland, promote networking and inspire more community led tourism enterprises. Its members include museums, outdoor experiences, information centres, glamping pods, cafés, trails and numerous other tourism attractions and services owned and operated by local communities.

SCOTO was launched in a bid to promote community-owned tourism enterprises. Membership has grown rapidly and the body is keen to engage communities that are delivering tourism products and others that may have an interest in developing local tourism facilities.

The roadshow is open to existing SCOTO members, social enterprises and community organisations delivering community tourism, local tourism groups and community groups aspiring to set up a tourism offer.

As well as networking opportunities, the roadshow will offer practical support to local community groups looking to set up a community owned tourism enterprise.

Carron Tobin, a director and founding member of SCOTO, said: “We are looking forward to engaging with potential new members across Scotland. The SCOTO network is diverse and continues to expand as more and more community run tourism enterprises see the advantage of working together. We would encourage anyone who is passionate about supporting local tourism to join our roadshow and meet others in the sector who are working hard to promote community owned tourism.”