Scotland's first national park gives £60 million boost to food and drink businesses
FOOD and drink businesses operating in Scotland’s first national park are enjoying a £60million boost thanks to an increase in tourists.
Businesses operating in Scotland’s first national park are enjoying a £60m boost thanks to tourists
With visitors to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park taking advantage of the high quality food and drink on offer, the sector is now sustaining 1,000 full-time jobs locally.
Producers include yoghurt makers, chilli growers and fish smokers, while there are also four whisky distilleries and several craft beer breweries.
Over the past two years, the sector has grown to be worth £60million, the National Park revealed today.
Over the past two years, the food and drink sector has grown to be worth £60million
Chief executive Gordon Watson said: “As well as having some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland, the National Park is also home to some of the country’s finest produce and most talented producers as well a growing range of great places to eat.
It’s great to see this drawing in more visitors and creating such significant growth in the visitor economy
“It’s great to see this drawing in more visitors and creating such significant growth in the visitor economy as well as creating jobs.
“As the National Park Authority, one of our key aims is to support a thriving and sustainable local economy and to work with the business community to develop the area as a world class tourist destination.
“The food and drink on offer within the National Park is a huge part of that.”
'One of our key aims is to support a thriving and sustainable local economy' says Watson
During the Year of Food and Drink in 2015, the authority worked with tourism business and producers to showcase the variety of goods on offer – ranging from artisan breads and dairy, craft beers and gins to butchered meats.
Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Our National Parks sustain thousands of jobs and it is important that visitors are treated to a high quality experience.”