New Parliament, New Conversations: Help Us Change the Narrative

The Scottish Parliament has entered a new session and many constituencies across Scotland now have newly elected MSPs.

This presents a critical opportunity for Scotland’s self-catering sector.

Over recent years, public and political debate around “short-term lets” has too often been dominated by broad assumptions, negative narratives and simplified headlines. Yet the reality of Scotland’s self-catering sector is very different.

Our sector is overwhelmingly made up of small and microbusinesses, many of them family-run, female-led and deeply rooted in local communities. Self-catering businesses support local jobs, sustain rural economies, enable tourism in areas without hotels, and contribute around £1 billion annually to Scotland’s economy while supporting more than 29,000 jobs.

Collectively, we need to change the narrative.

That starts with ensuring MSPs hear directly from the real people behind Scotland’s self-catering businesses.

Send the ASSC MSP Briefing to Your Representatives

The ASSC has prepared a comprehensive briefing for MSPs outlining:

• the economic contribution of the sector;
• the realities of self-catering businesses across Scotland;
• the cumulative impact of regulation;
• the importance of evidence-led policymaking; and
• the need for fair, proportionate and consistent regulation.

We strongly encourage members to:

• email the briefing to their constituency and regional MSPs;
• introduce themselves and their business;
• explain the contribution they make locally; and
• request a meeting, site visit or conversation.

Personal engagement matters.

MSPs are far more likely to understand the realities of the sector when they hear directly from constituents operating businesses in their communities.

Make It Personal. Tell Your Story. The strongest engagement is always personal.

Do not simply forward the briefing without context.

Explain:

• who you are;
• how long you have operated;
• why you started your business;
• what your business contributes locally;
• who relies on the income;
• how many local suppliers you support; and
• why fair and evidence-led policy matters to your community.

MSPs need to hear real stories, not just statistics.

You are not simply:

• a “short-term let”;
• a planning category; or
• a data point.

You are:

• a local employer;
• a hospitality provider;
• a small business owner; and
• part of your local community.

Many self-catering businesses are:

• rural diversification projects;
• restored empty properties;
• annexes or home-sharing models;
• retirement income;
• supplementary household income; or
• businesses helping sustain fragile rural economies.

These stories matter.

Why This Matters Now

Policy decisions being taken in the next Parliament will directly affect:

• business viability;
• tourism capacity;
• rural economies;
• housing policy;
• Non-Domestic Rates;
• licensing; and
• future investment confidence.

The ASSC briefing highlights the growing cumulative pressures facing operators, including licensing, planning, rates increases, EPC requirements and rising operating costs.

At the same time, the sector continues to face misconceptions around housing despite evidence showing that self-catering secondary lets account for only around 0.8% of Scotland’s housing stock.

If policymakers only hear one side of the debate, poor policy outcomes become far more likely.

That is why member engagement is so important.

Practical Tips for Contacting Your MSP

When contacting your MSPs:

• keep your email constructive and professional;
• personalise your message;
• focus on local impact and lived experience;
• avoid overly technical policy language;
• explain solutions, not just problems;
• attach the ASSC MSP Briefing;
• include photographs or examples where appropriate; and
• invite them to visit your business or meet locally.

Human stories and real-world examples are often far more persuasive than policy documents alone.

Together, We Can Shift the Conversation

The future of Scotland’s self-catering sector cannot be shaped solely by assumptions or stereotypes.

We need policymakers to understand the people, businesses and communities behind the sector.

Every email, conversation and meeting helps build that understanding.

Collectively, we can help ensure Scotland’s self-catering sector is recognised for what it truly is:

• a responsible part of the visitor economy;
• a vital contributor to local communities; and
• an essential part of Scotland’s tourism infrastructure.

The ASSC will continue to advocate strongly on behalf of members, but your voice as a local business owner remains one of the most powerful tools we have.

Please take the time to contact your MSPs and help us change the narrative.