ASSC CEO Update – Recent Activity

Over the past fortnight the ASSC has continued to represent ASSC members’ interests across Scotland, engaging directly with policymakers, partners, and industry stakeholders on the key challenges and opportunities facing our sector. This work has been led on the ground by Fiona Campbell MBE (ASSC, CEO), who continues to represent ASSC members across Scotland at every level.

Highlights include:

1. ASSC Board Meeting
We held a full Board meeting to review key governance matters and discuss strategy as we look ahead to the next stage of ASSC’s work.

2. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Tourism & Hospitality Tour
Fiona joined the National Park Destination Group on board The Sir Walter Scott Steamship, hosted by James Fraser and his team at Loch Katrine. This important initiative brought politicians and government officials into our environment to see challenges first-hand including Visitor Levy concerns. The clear call to action for operators is to engage actively with the ongoing Visitor Levy consultation.

3. Launch of the Scottish Government EV Charger Grant Scheme
Fiona attended the launch of a new EV Charger Grant with Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop MSP at Glentress, following our successful lobbying for inclusion of self-catering in the scheme. Read more here.

4. STA Policy Group Meeting
Fiona also participated in the Scottish Tourism Alliance Policy Group alongside the STA Board, ensuring self-catering voices are heard at the heart of policy discussions.

5.Visitor Levy Engagement

• Took part in the City of Edinburgh Council’s Visitor Levy Short Life Working Group on the Destination and Visitor Management Fund.
• Met with the Improvement Service to test the new Visitor Levy National Portal.
• Liaised with Scottish Government, MSPs, officials, and local authorities on implementation and ongoing consultations.

6. Short-Term Let Regulations
Continued engagement with Scottish Government on the implementation of STL regulations, particularly regarding planning.

7. Judicial Review Update
Welcomed news that Scottish Ministers have conceded the Court of Session appeal, acknowledging legal deficiencies in the Reporter’s reasoning on the Class 9 classification issue. Update here.

8. STA Council Forum
Contributed to the Council Forum, strengthening industry collaboration on shared challenges.

9. Business and Partner Engagement

• Attended a networking event with partners HMA Tax at Gleneagles Townhouse.
• Joined the Scottish Hospitality Group for a working lunch.
• Advanced work on a new platform with partners Howden and insurers Hiscox.

This period has been marked by strong collaboration across industry, government, and communities, with the Visitor Levy and regulatory landscape remaining key priorities.