Hansard

I welcome the debate and thank the minister and Jamie McGrigor for their kind remarks.

This is an important time for our marine tourism offering, and I will focus my remarks on “Awakening the Giant”, which the minister spoke about and which is mentioned in the motion. I also want to touch on how a cross-party group has greatly pushed the marine tourism agenda. As members know, I chair the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on recreational boating and marine tourism, which meets tonight at 6 pm in committee room 4. Members are all kindly invited.

The “Awakening the Giant” report would not have happened without the cross-party group; its genesis was in the group. We knew that the recreational boating and wider marine tourism sector had something greater to offer, but anecdotal evidence was not enough to convince the public sector to invest—and nor should it have been. The sector agreed that it needed to do more to highlight the existing product, the opportunities and a pathway to getting that economic benefit for the sector and for Scotland. Our cross-party group started that work, helped immensely along the way, and now we have the first-ever national strategy for the sector.

The report is by no means the end of the journey; this is the beginning of the next phase, which is to make the offering the best that it can be. My personal aim is to make Scotland the world place to go for sailing, recreational boating and marine tourism activities. I believe that we should all have that aim.

From our first symposium two years ago, to this publication, to our second symposium later in the year—it is currently being organised and members will all be invited—we are leading the agenda. The Scottish Government and its agencies are wholly supportive and I believe that we will go from strength to strength.

A second point that I want to highlight relates to the national marine plan. Chapter 12, “Recreation and Tourism”, refers to improved data collection on marine and coastal recreational activities, including key recreation resources and access points, to enable improved targeting and long-term planning for those activities. Once again, that is a success for the cross-party group, as it was one of the key action points that we agreed upon at the symposium two years ago. That is now being delivered. I am delighted that that has been taken up. Some talented people are working on that. I believe that the results of that and the sector buy-in will prove invaluable for the industry in future.

The marine tourism offering covers many areas, some of which we have heard about, particularly in the minister’s speech. One such growing area is the cruise liner sector. From a small base just over 10 years ago, the sector is now worth some £50 million to the Scottish economy. In Inverclyde alone, it is estimated to be worth some £8 million. This year, the Greenock Ocean Terminal will pass the 100,000 passenger mark. It will be the first port in Scotland to do so, and it deserves every credit, as do the volunteers of the tremendous Inverclyde tourist group, whom the minister has met. Every member of the tourist group understands that tourism is everyone’s business. They are exemplars in the delivery of the friendly welcome that has been so lauded. People from other parts of these islands go to meet them to find out their secret.

As the minister knows, a campaign has been launched recently to bring the QE2 back to the Clyde. What a wonderful sight it would be to see the QE2 berthed on the Clyde. I support the campaign. My preference would be for the ship to berth in Greenock, as the deep water could accommodate it. I have had a wee discussion with my colleague Gil Paterson, who would like to see the QE2 over on the north part of the river, bearing in mind that it was built there. It could become a fabulous tourism opportunity, in conjunction with the growing cruise liner industry. That aspiration is not without its challenges, however, the main one being reduced budgets. Although the Scottish Government, its agencies and local government do not have endless pots of money at their disposal, I would ask Scottish Enterprise to work with others to initiate a feasibility study into the project. What a boost the project could offer if it was successful, although I stress that it would face major challenges.

I welcome this important debate and am delighted to champion the marine tourism sector in the Parliament. We have the scenery, the hospitality, the food, the culture, the heritage and the people. Those are now being brought together like never before. Marine tourism is a gem in Scotland’s offering. The cross-party group in the Parliament has helped hugely in driving forward that agenda and its future success.