Scotland Inbound Tour Operators Fund

This blog has now been superseded by our blog of 26 February 2021

https://jsca.co.uk/scotland-tour-operators-fund-covid-19/

The Scottish Government has announced a new £6m Scotland Inbound Tour Operators Fund.  This is a one off fund that will support eligible businesses through the next 4 to 6 months of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The fund will be delivered by VisitScotland with input from the Scottish Tourism Alliance, the Scottish Destination Management Association, the Scottish Incoming Golf Tour Operators Association and UK Inbound.

Who is the support for?

The fund is intended to support inbound tour operators and/or Destination Marketing Companies (DMC’s) operating in Scotland who promote and sell packaged product (holidays in Scotland) to international markets and who have financial problems, due to the impact of COVID-19.

This Fund is not open to:

• Online Travel Agents
• Retail Travel Agents
• Third Party Resellers
• Outbound Tour Operators (whose revenue consists of 50% or more product outside of Scotland)
• Professional Conference Organisers
• Event Planning Companies & Organisers
• Exhibition Companies
• Production Companies
• Marketing, PR & Communication Groups
• Individual service providers / suppliers to Inbound Tour Operators / DMC’s – this includes day tours/excursions, tour guides, visitor attractions, transport companies, venues, accommodations and restaurants
• Please note this is not an exhaustive list and the right has been reserved to add further ineligible business types during the assessment process 

Is my business eligible for support?

To be eligible, you:

• must have a permanent place of business in Scotland (registered business address or premises)
• must have been established and operating as an inbound tour operator and/or DMC for at least two full financial years prior to 31 December 2020
• must be fully compliant with The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, if selling direct to the consumers
• must have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 which has resulted in revenue decreasing by at least 75% in the 12 month period to 31 December 2020 compared to the 12 month period to 31 December 2019
• must confirm that at least 75% of the revenue recorded in your last set of annual accounts is derived from outside of the UK and/or revenues derived from outside of the UK exceed £500,000
• must confirm that at least 75% of the revenue recorded in your last set of annual accounts relates to product delivered in Scotland and/or your revenues relating to product delivered in Scotland exceed £500,000
• must confirm your business employs at least one full time employee in Scotland
• must confirm that your business was not in financial difficulty as at 31 December 2019. If you are a SME or large organisation, please see the Subsidy Control section in the Guidance for more information.

You can read the full guidance on eligibility on the VisitScotland website

How to apply

• The application process for this fund involves two stages – firstly an expression of Interest and then an application.
• The online Expressions of Interest (EOI) form is open now and closes at 5pm on Friday 29 January 2021

https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/funding/inbound-tour-operators-fund/eoi-form

• Businesses must have completed an EOI to be eligible to submit a full application
• Successful applicants will be invited via email to submit a full application
• A panel will assess applications and make the final decision. If your application is rejected, you can appeal the decision

How much will the support be? 

The amount awarded to each applicant will be determined by the eligibility criteria and the supporting information provided.

Applications WILL NOT be assessed on a first come first served basis 

It is anticipated that there will be a high demand for this fund and not all applicants will be successful.

https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/service/funding/scotland-inbound-tour-operators-fund

This blog has now been superseded by our blog of 26 February 2021:-

https://jsca.co.uk/scotland-tour-operators-fund-covid-19/

The information in this blog provides only an overview of Scottish Government guidance and legislation in force at the date of publication and no action should be taken without consulting the detailed Scottish Government guidance and legislation or seeking professional advice.  Therefore no responsibility for loss occasioned by any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the material contained in this blog can be accepted by the firm.

Photo by Bryan Walker on Unsplash