The Committee is set to investigate the goals set out in 2006 by the then Scottish Executive in their report Scottish Tourism: The Next Decade - A Tourism Framework for Change for, among other things, a 50 per cent increase in tourism revenue by 2015. The Committee is seeking to address concerns over this ambition’s viability, what specific challenges the industry is facing and how they can be overcome.

The Committee has issues a call for evidence and is interested in hearing from individuals and organizations with experience or interest in the tourism industry. Some of the many factors they will consider include industry investment, staffing issues, transport infrastructure and the quality of a visitor’s experience.

The closing date for receipt of written submissions is 19 December 2007.

The Committee’s Convener, Tavish Scott MSP, said:

“Tourism is one of Scotland’s main industries and one of the fastest growing sectors of the world economy. While it is important that Scotland keeps pace with this expected growth, the Committee is concerned that the intention to increase tourism revenue by 50 per cent is overly ambitious unless significant steps are taken. This inquiry will focus upon the key challenges to meeting this ambition and effective measures to overcome these.”