A tourism hustings took place yesterday at the Glen Mhor Hotel in Inverness, providing a timely opportunity for businesses to engage directly with political candidates on the issues shaping their future ahead of the Scottish Parliament election. The discussion came at a critical moment for the sector, which continues to face increasing regulatory pressure, rising costs and ongoing uncertainty.
The event was chaired by Fiona Campbell MBE, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC). It brought together candidates from across the political spectrum for a structured discussion on key issues including regulation, housing, taxation and infrastructure, alongside an audience Q&A that allowed local businesses to share their experiences directly.
The panel featured Emma Roddick (Scottish National Party), Tim Eagle (Scottish Conservatives), Dr Michael Gregson (Scottish Labour and Co-operative), standing in for Islay McCay, Neil Alexander (Scottish Liberal Democrats), Fergus Ewing (Independent), Fred Campbell (Reform UK), and Anne Thomas (Scottish Greens). Contributions from industry representatives and local business owners ensured the discussion remained grounded in the realities of operating in the Highlands.
The importance of the self-catering sector to the Highlands was a central theme throughout the evening, with discussion quickly turning to the wider housing challenges facing the region and the role of the sector within that debate.
Key issues and discussion
Short-term lets and regulation were at the forefront of the debate. While some candidates supported measures such as control areas, others argued that the current framework has gone too far and is causing damage without clear evidence of benefit. Across the panel, there was a shared recognition that the balance is not yet right.
This fed directly into a wider discussion on housing, a critical issue in the Highlands. While there was general agreement on the need to build more homes, several contributions challenged the narrative that short-term lets are a primary driver of the crisis. Independent research by BiGGAR Economics shows that short-term lets contribute around £200 million GVA annually to the Highland economy and support nearly 7,000 jobs. Despite this, the sector accounts for less than 1% of Scotland’s housing stock, with empty homes representing a significantly larger proportion. This evidence was reflected in the discussion, alongside calls for more holistic and evidence-led approaches to housing policy.
The proposed visitor levy also prompted mixed views. Some candidates supported its introduction, particularly if revenue is ring-fenced for tourism infrastructure, while others raised concerns about additional costs, administrative burden and the potential impact on competitiveness. Questions of fairness were also raised, particularly around motorhomes, with broad agreement that they place pressure on infrastructure without contributing financially and should be considered within any future approach.
Business confidence emerged as a key concern throughout the evening. Rising non-domestic rates were widely described as unsustainable, with concerns raised about significant increases, including average rises of up to 88% and, in some cases, up to 300%, placing considerable pressure on businesses, particularly smaller operators.
Across the panel there was broad agreement that the current system is not working effectively and requires reform, with calls for a pause, freeze, or full review. Several candidates highlighted issues with the methodology behind valuations and the need for a fairer, more balanced approach, alongside greater scrutiny.
These challenges were compounded by wider infrastructure issues, including delays to A9 dualling and ferry reliability, with several candidates highlighting concerns around regional inequality and the need for greater investment in the Highlands.
Audience contributions reinforced these themes, with business owners highlighting additional pressures such as visa restrictions and staffing shortages. There was a clear sense of frustration from some attendees, alongside calls for greater recognition and support for locally run tourism businesses.
Looking ahead
The hustings reinforced the importance of ensuring that the voice of the self-catering sector is heard at the highest levels of policymaking. While there were differing views on specific policies, there was clear recognition of the sector’s economic contribution and the need for continued dialogue.
The ASSC will continue to engage with policymakers across all parties in the lead-up to the election, ensuring that the priorities set out in its manifesto remain central to discussions.
The Association extends its thanks to all candidates and attendees for contributing to a constructive and important conversation, and will continue to champion the interests of Scotland’s self-catering sector in the months ahead.
Attendees are also encouraged to read the ASSC Manifesto to better understand the sector’s priorities and the policies being advocated ahead of the election.