Tourism is one of Scotland's biggest industries and is "the face" of the nation to many visitors. Much that is happening is good; however, "must do better" is the assessment of HotelReviewScotland.com. We operate the most-read hotel guide and host the country's national hotel awards.

Tourism is one of Scotland's biggest industries and is "the face" of the nation to many visitors. Much that is happening is good; however, "must do better" is the assessment of HotelReviewScotland.com. We operate the most-read hotel guide and host the country's national hotel awards.

Here, we are merely messengers. I can report a lack of enthusiasm for VisitScotland/STB as currently organised, and also that the controversial, privately-owned VisitScotland. com website is breathtakingly unpopular in many key sectors of the hotel industry. It is promoted to the exclusion of other valuable websites and is therefore anti-competitive.

Our website, for example, a fast-expanding alternative to the accommodation "section" of VisitScotland. com, requires no taxpayer subsidy and no commission from hotels on bookings - which drives up rates, making Scots hotels pricier.

Much of the current dissatisfaction with tourism policy is the result of eight years' Labour-LibDem government and their ever-breeding quangos. I believe that placing tourism at the heart of a top-level Enterprise Department makes sense. Jim Mather, Enterprise Minister if the SNP wins, impresses: his plans to focus on marketing and lightening the regulatory touch sound right.

Leadership is required: the feeling that if there were problems - like those now distancing many of our hotel businesses from the national tourism body - passion and action would find solutions.

I will support Mr Salmond and the SNP on May 3.

Gary McLean, CEO, HotelReviewScotland.com.