Scotland Tour Operators Fund COVID-19
Post Author:
Anne Melville
Date Posted:
February 26, 2021
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The criteria for the Scotland Inbound Tour Operators – COVID-19 Business Support and Continuity Fund have been widened and a new fund, the Scotland Day Tour Operators – COVID-19 Business Support and Continuity Fund has been introduced.
The aim of this is to support more Scotland-based businesses in the tour operator sector critical to Scotland’s tourism economy.
Due to the “complexity and breadth of businesses” within the sector, this two-strand approach to grant funding has been considered necessary.
The £15 million fund is being delivered by VisitScotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Scotland Inbound Tour Operators – COVID-19 Business Support and Continuity Fund
Who is the support for?
The fund has been established to ensure that financial support goes to businesses operating in Scotland as an inbound tour operator and /or destination management company (DMC), promoting and selling packaged products to international markets.
The fund is open to businesses who are fully compliant with the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements 2018.
This Fund is not open to:
- online travel agents
- retail travel agents
- third party resellers
- outbound tour operators
- professional conference organisers
- event planning companies and organisers
- exhibition companies, production companies
- marketing, PR and communication groups
- individual service providers/suppliers to inbound tour operators/DMCs – this includes day tours/excursions, tour guides, visitor attractions, transport companies, venues, accommodations and restaurants
How do I apply?
Guidance and detailed eligibility criteria will be available in the week beginning 1 March 2021. Applications open at 12pm on Thursday 4 March 2021 and will close at 5pm on Thursday 18 March 2021.
How much will the support be?
The information regarding the level of grants will be detailed in the fund guidance, which is due to be published in the week beginning 1 March 2021.
We expect that the amount to be awarded to each applicant will be determined by the eligibility criteria and the supporting information provided and that applications will not be assessed on a first come first served basis.
https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/service/funding/scotland-tour-operators-fund-covid-19
https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/funding/inbound-tour-operators-fund
https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/funding/inbound-tour-operators-fund/guidance
Scotland Day Tour Operators – COVID-19 Business Support and Continuity Fund
Who is the support for?
This Fund is intended to support the day tour operators’ sector who are facing financial problems due to the impact of COVID-19.
For the purposes of this Fund a day tour operator is defined as:
- a business which offers a land based day tour experience or
- a land based multi-day tour experience in Scotland which does not include accommodation but does include motorised transport
A day tour or multi-day tour is defined as a single or multi-day land based tour experience in Scotland which does not fall under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.
The fund is open to businesses who have been operating for at least one full financial year before 31 December 2020.
This fund is not open to:
- online travel agents
- retail travel agents
- third party resellers
- water-based day excursion operators
- air/aerial-based excursions such as sea planes or hot air balloons
- registered taxi license holders
- registered private hire license holders who have recently received the grant payment of £1,500 administered through their local authority and announced by the Scottish Government on 18 January 2021
- registered private hire license holders who cannot provide evidence that their sole remit is providing day/multi-day tour excursions
- chauffeur companies that cannot provide evidence that their sole remit is providing day/multi-day tour excursions
- outbound tour operators whose revenue consists of 50% or more products based outside of Scotland
- professional conference organisers
- event planning companies and organisers
- exhibition companies
- production companies
- marketing
- PR and communication groups
- individual service
- providers/suppliers to day/multi-day tour operators, such as freelance tour guides, visitor attractions, transport companies, venues, accommodation and restaurants
How do I apply?
Guidance and detailed eligibility criteria are available now. Applications open at 12pm on Thursday 4 March 2021 and will close at 5pm on Thursday 11 March 2021.
How much will the support be?
It is expected that a range of award amounts from £6,500 up to a maximum of £40,000 per business, depending on the level of turnover, will be made.
The Scottish Government has allocated a set amount for this Fund and it is anticipated that demand will be high across the industry.
In determining the amount of grant support payable to each eligible applicant regard will be given to the eligibility criteria and the supporting information provided. In the interest of fairness, the final amount awarded to a successful applicant will be determined once all applications are received and vetted.
https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/service/funding/scotland-tour-operators-fund-covid-19
https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/funding/inbound-tour-operators-fund
https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/funding/inbound-tour-operators-fund/guidance
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 Peter Cordes on Unsplash
