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Working for the island we love

Mini Bite – from Alistair Danter – 11th March – 2023

In Alistair's Mini Bite below you'll find information on Alistair Danter's work as Project Manager for SkyeConnect.

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We were interested to discover recently that Romance fiction book sales in the UK are growing at their fastest rate ever. Annual sales are apparently now topping £53 million. Given the words in a song by Skye band Bramax “if you’ve never been kissed on the isle of the mist… you’d better get over to Skye”, romance and escapism may be key component of post covid marketing, something our brilliant local wedding and elopement photographers know only too well!

From escapism to reality and life at SkyeConnect is as busy as ever. This week I have selected seven key areas to highlight:

Uig Film

With some support from Transport Scotland we have been able to fund a wee promotional film based around Uig. We hope it will encourage more visitors to take in Uig and the surrounding area regardless of whether the ferry terminal is open or not. The film can be viewed here.

Destination Mangement App

The first iteration of our Visitor Management tool has now gone live – the MySkyetime app (available from the app store and Google play) gives real time status on 3 hotspots – Old Man of Storr, Quiraing and Coral Beach. The App has two core functions. The first uses a network of traffic and people sensors at key sites across the island. There are currently sensors at the Old Man of Storr, Quiraing and the Fairy Pools which provide live information via a traffic light system to alert visitors to congestion along with suggestions for quieter times to visit. The second function provides detailed information on local sites, places to eat, activities, transport information such as locations of EV chargers and in addition data related to carbon emissions. Members of SkyeConnect are given priority on the App with more information available to APP users. As we manage to install more sensors in key locations the real time RAG (Red Amber Green) status reports in other key locations will become visible. The project reflects 18 months hard work with much more to go….. Please encourage guests and customers to download the MySkyeTime app to help plan and make the most of their time on Skye and Raasay. With a section devoted to Defib locations Skye has to be the safest place on the planet in a health emergency.

Big Small Business Survey 

We have been asked by our friends at the FSB Scotland to promote their Big Small Business Survey. Being a wider survey covering more than tourism, the research will give an invaluable spotlight on current challenges facing small businesses in all sectors across Scotland.

Highland Council Q&A

We are currently planning an online Q&A session with The Highland Council’s Licensing Department in relation to Short Term Lets on Thursday 30th March at 10:30. Gary Somers, THC’s legal representative on Licensing, will present the requirements of the STL legislation and answer questions relating to compliance. Access to the event is via Eventbrite. have an FAQ in relation to STLs legislation that is updated regularly and can be found here.

Short Term Lets

Existing B&B and Self Catering operators now have more time to apply for an STL licence, after MSPs voted in favour of extending the timeframe, businesses already operating as a short-term let on or after 1 October ‘22 have up until that date in 2023 to apply for a licence. New hosts still need a licence before they can start operating. Click here for further information.

Social Enterprise Academy

A great opportunity has arisen with the Social enterprise academy to join their new Gaidheil & Gaeilge Leading in Cultural Tourism course. Details can be found here.

SCOTO

A good turnout at the SCOTO (Scottish Communities in Tourism) roadshow at An Crubh earlier this month. More details can be found here.

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