19 December 2006
SHETLAND DEVELOPMENT TRUST SPONSORS UPGRADE OF VISITOR FACILITIES AROUND SHETLAND'S COMMUNITY BOATING SITES
The Shetland Development Trust is pleased to announce the sponsorship of up to £150,000 towards purchasing equipment to upgrade the visitor facilities of around 23 community boating sites around Shetland. This sponsorship will establish minimum standards and core facilities, which will be available for visitors. The type of equipment to be installed includes improved navigation marks leading into the marina/piers, orientation boards with local information, power, light and water for visitor berths and general safety equipment.
Before the summer season in 2007, it is hoped all the upgrades will have taken place. Chairman of the Shetland Marinas, Piers and Boating Clubs Association, Bobby Hunter said, “These funds give us an excellent opportunity to establish enhanced boating facilities for visitors. We are also working closely with the Shetland Islands Council to establish a strong marketing campaign that will promote our community facilities to people who may be attracted to take a boating holiday in Shetland. ”
Josie Simpson, Chairman of the Shetland Development Trust said, “ This investment into our boating infrastructure shows good potential for future economic return within the tourism sector in Shetland.”
This project forms part of a wider marketing strategy to promote Shetland as a yachting destination. Shetland will be represented at the London Boat Show where a joint Orkney and Shetland promotional campaign and DVD is being launched at the Show on the 5th of January 2007.
In 2005/6, the Shetland visitor survey estimated that visiting yachts contributed £193,600 to the Shetland economy and there is potential to increase this return significantly. In 2006, the SIC Economic Development Unit also published the Shetland Marinas Guide and next year an updated guide will follow after all the visitor facility upgrades have taken place.
Notes to Editor
In 2006, An umbrella body, the Shetland Marinas, Piers and Boating Clubs Association was formed and Shetland Islands Council, Economic Development Unit attracted European funding to commission an Orkney/Shetland promotional campaign and DVD which is to be launched at the London Boat Show, 2007.
Feedback from the pilot Shetland Marinas Guide in 2006 and attendance at the London Boat Show was very positive. With co-promotion with Orkney, Shetland presented a very distinctive and attractive profile to visiting yachts by promoting cruising, remoteness, hospitality and culture.
The Leisure Marine industry in the UK has grown by nearly 60% since 1997 and in 2004 was worth am estimated £1.9 billion of which £2.4 million was generated in Scotland (Source: The British Marine Federation)
For information; Bobby Hunter, as Chairman of the Shetland Marinas, Piers and Boating Clubs Association declared an interest during the Trust meeting and correctly took no part in the decision making process for this investment.