MSP questions proposals to replace VisitOrkney website

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has questioned plans to replace the VisitOrkney website with a “regional” version of the VisitScotland website.

Mr McArthur said:  “It now transpires that VisitScotland plans to replace VisitOrkney’s website later this year with a ‘regional’ version of the national site.  Awareness of this proposed change amongst local tourism businesses does not appear to have been high.  Moreover, while the new website is still in development, serious shortcomings have already been identified in terms of the information available to potential visitors.

“For those who rely on the VisitOrkney website to help secure business, these shortcomings have done nothing to allay fears that this move to a ‘regional’ website could be a backward step and lead to a loss of business.  I know that VisitOrkney staff have been working hard to try help answer the many questions that are being asked by local businesses, but I am concerned at the way in which VisitScotland has handled this process so far and the effect these changes could have on such an important sector of the Orkney economy.

“That is why I have written to the chief executive of VisitScotland urging him to take urgent steps to ensure that local businesses have confidence in what is being proposed.  Until that happens, I cannot see how VisitScotland can proceed with these changes.”