Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick) NPA

The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-03400, in the name of Fergus Ewing, on growing the visitor economy.15:13

The Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism (Fergus Ewing) SNP

It is only 15 weeks since we last debated tourism in the chamber. As the minister with responsibility for tourism, I am delighted to be in a position so soon...

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

I was going to say that I have been invited and that I would be happy to give my ticket to the minister in the event that he is not invited personally.

Fergus Ewing SNP

There is universal generosity and courtesy. Of course, I hope that Mary Scanlon will also be able to attend. The First Minister yesterday said that my four-y...

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

He is behind you.

Fergus Ewing SNP

Excellent. I welcome him and thank him and all his colleagues on the tourism leadership group for their work on the strategy. The strategy was not devised in...

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

I pay tribute to the tourism leadership group’s work and its report, “Tourism Scotland 2020: The future of our industry, in our hands”.I will talk about a nu...

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I, too, welcome the increase in tourism business that the minister outlined. I share other members’ views on the Olympic torch relay, which has undoubtedly b...

John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP) SNP

The member makes an important point about Scottish products being available in our hotels. I have sometimes been in hotels in which there has been a disappoi...

Mary Scanlon Con

I discovered this Dark Island ale, which looked like a pint of Guinness to me, but I am told on good authority that it is well worth trying.On the point abou...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith) Lab

We move to the open debate and I ask for speeches of six minutes.15:43

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP

As a member of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, I am delighted to speak in this debate, particularly as it comes on the back of yesterday’s announc...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

I ask the member to draw to a close, please.

Chic Brodie SNP

I am just about to finish.Scotland is a brand. Brands that have stories have meaning, and brands that have meaning have impact and resonance. Our tourism ind...

Margaret McCulloch (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab

From the Falkirk wheel to Lanarkshire’s great country parks, there is a wide range of premier visitor attractions in my Central Scotland region, which I am o...

Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) SNP

Will the member give way on that point?

Margaret McCulloch Lab

No. I am tight for time. I am sorry. I will cover that point next.The performance of our ground and air transport is vital to our competitiveness as a destin...

Fiona McLeod (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) SNP

I join the minister in welcoming the work that the Scottish Tourism Alliance has published in the past week, which was encouraging for me to read because the...

Mary Scanlon Con

I, too, have been reading briefings. I remind the member that Glasgow is the UK’s second-top retail destination.

Fiona McLeod SNP

My credit card will attest to that, no problem.As I was saying, Strathkelvin and Bearsden is just next door to the fantastic city of Glasgow. In fact, Strath...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

Thank you. There is an invitation for everyone.16:02

Dennis Robertson (Aberdeenshire West) (SNP) SNP

I will now take my friend and colleague Fiona McLeod to the real outdoors of Aberdeenshire West.I begin by thanking the minister for not dipping into my cons...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott) Con

I thank Mr Robertson for the kind invitation to visit his constituency this summer, which I may or may not take up. Nonetheless, I am sure that his constitue...

Hanzala Malik (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

I welcome the opportunity to take part in the debate, because tourism is a key part of the Scottish economy, as many members have said. A vibrant and thrivin...

Dennis Robertson SNP

I encourage Hanzala Malik to enjoy the taste of Grampian festival when he visits my constituency.

Hanzala Malik Lab

Dennis Robertson is going to get me into trouble with my imams.United Kingdom Border Agency immigration clearance officers have not been helpful with visa ap...

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee City West) (SNP) SNP

I think that all members in the chamber agree about the importance of tourism and treating our tourist guests with respect. Does Hanzala Malik believe that i...

Hanzala Malik Lab

Again, a member is trying to get me into trouble.The issue is the policy on immigration rather than who makes the decisions. Tourism is important for us beca...

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee City West) (SNP) SNP

It is a privilege to take part in the debate, and it has been great to hear examples of Scotland’s offer for tourists.The figures released by VisitScotland c...

Kevin Stewart SNP

If a son of Dundee offered £50 million for a project that was backed by the majority of Dundonians, what does the member think Dundee City Council’s reaction...