South Scotland MSP Joan McAlpine is leading a Parliamentary enquiry into the effect of Covid19 on tourism and culture and has urged businesses across Dumfries and Galloway to share their experiences and views.
The enquiry is being carried out by the Scottish Parliament’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee, which Ms McAlpine chairs.
The Committee will use feedback received to recommend how the Government should provide effective support in the face of the devastating impact the virus is having on the industries.
Commenting, Ms McAlpine said:
“The committee is seeking views on how best the tourist and culture sectors can bounce back in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis and I’m urging businesses and individuals across Dumfries and Galloway to make sure their voices are heard.
“As the weather warms our tourism industry should be coming into its high season. Instead hotels are empty, pubs are dry, and theatres are quiet. Visitors have been told not to travel to rural areas for understandable reasons, but that will have a devastating impact on already fragile local economies.
“The protection of life and the ability of the NHS to cope as the virus spreads has rightly been the priority but the long-term impact that Covid-19 has created will last beyond any lockdown.
The committee has set no deadline for responses but Ms McAlpine urged all those interested to share their views soon, so that their concerns could be put to Scottish Government ministers when they appear before the committee in May.
The call for views can be found at the Scottish Parliament website at www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/115008.aspx
