IT IS hardly surprising that Outer Hebrides Tourism has come out so strongly against local MSP Alasdair Allan’s proposal for a tax on motorhomes and campervans. No tourist organisation would back a move that could deter visitors. At the same time, it was hardly surprising that, earlier this week, a local council spokesman thought the idea might be worth investigating if it raised funds to improve infrastructure.
The Outer Hebrides is the latest destination to groan under the strain of its popularity with visitors. It is happening all over Europe. But the islands have special problems: narrow, single-track roads accessed by ferries, on which motorhomes take up much space. No one wants to deter flexible staycationers who can easily opt for elsewhere but Mr Allan has at least started a debate that has already brought forth a plethora of other ideas such as charging more for services on the islands, reserving ferry space for locals or providing larger and more frequent ferries.
The last idea in particular hints at an ideal wishlist but has the merit of highlighting the chicken and egg conundrum regarding infrastructure. Should we follow Mr Allan’s suggestion of first raising revenue from tourism to improve infrastructure? Or should we improve infrastructure first and reap raised revenue from tourism? Getting the infrastructure right is the solution: who pays for it is the problem.
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