Marine and Outdoor Tourism Restart Fund

Post Author:

Anne Melville

Date Posted:

January 27, 2021

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Coronavirus

This fund is for Scottish-based marine and outdoor tourism businesses who have been significantly affected by COVID-19 and are facing seasonal re-commissioning and re-start costs ahead of the 2021 season.

The £2.5 million fund is being delivered on behalf of the Scottish Government by VisitScotland together with Sail Scotland and Wild Scotland.

It is aimed at responsible tourism operators who provide a sustainable outdoor related activity to visitors on land and in the marine environment. This will encompass a broad span of activity types from wildlife watching to charter boat trips, day boat trips, sailing holidays, bushcraft and survival and activities such as canoeing and mountaineering.

Due to the complexity and breadth of businesses within the sector, a two-strand approach to grant funding is required. Businesses may only apply to one strand.

The two strands are:

  1. Marine & Boating Tourism Operators
  2. Outdoor Wildlife, Adventure & Activity Sector Tourism Businesses

How much?

A range of award amounts will be awarded under this fund, up to a maximum of £15,000 per company.  Applications will be limited to one per company.

The level of awards will be dependent on the number of successful applications to the fund.

Is my business eligible? 

If you are a SME or Large organisation, your business must not have been in financial difficulty as at 31 March 2019. Please see the Subsidy Control section in the Guidance on VisitScotland.org for more information.

 Strand 1 – Marine & Boating Tourism Operators

This strand applies to businesses operating or intending to re-commission and operate a vessel for commercial tourism use or charter.

Applicants must:

  • meet one of the business types defined in the eligible business types detailed on the VisitScotland website
  • be able to provide a valid Marine Coastguard Authority (MCA) letter of authority or certificate dated to expire between 1 October 2019 and 31 March 2020 that is appropriate to the waters and carrying capacities within which they operate / or valid Boat Safety Scheme certificate, Local Authority License or MCA certification by approved certifying authority on behalf of MCA (MECAL, RINA, ABYA etc)
  • for owned Vessels – provide a Vessel ownership registration document showing per vessel at 64/64 or bill of sale in name of applicant company
  • confirm that 75% of your annual turnover can be accounted for from Marine and Boating tourism activities and this being undertaken and delivered within Scotland and Scottish waters
  • have a current valid annual insurance document to cover third party liability and/or employee liability insurance
  • intend to operate your business in 2021

Strand 2 – Outdoor Wildlife, Adventure & Activity Sector Tourism Businesses

 This strand applies to on-land and non-motorised water activity operators, activity providers and sole traders who deliver guided activities for tourism in Scotland.

Applicants must:

  • meet one of the business types defined in the eligible business types (detailed on the VisitScotland website
  • have a turnover of over £10,000
  • confirm that 75% of your annual turnover can be accounted for from Outdoor Wildlife, Adventure and Activity Sector tourism activities and this being undertaken and delivered within Scotland and Scottish waters
  • have a current valid annual insurance document to cover third party liability and/or employee liability insurance
  • intend to operate your business in 2021

How do I apply?

The fund will be open for applications from 12pm on Tuesday 2 February until 5pm on Tuesday 9 February.

Applications must be submitted during this period but will not be considered on a first come first basis.

The full guidance document can be found on the VisitScotland website.

https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/funding/marine-outdoor-restart-fund

https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/service/funding/marine-and-outdoor-tourism-restart-fund

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 Richard Sagredo on Unsplash

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