Argyll and the Isles Tourism Cooperative

03/10/2026

Wishing the very best of luck to our members shortlisted for the Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards!

🍴 Knipoch House Hotel - Shortlisted for Best Hotel and Best Eating Experience

🛌 Loch Riddon Bothy - Shortlisted for Best Accommodation or Unique Stay

⭐ The Pierhouse Hotel's Jolene Levy - shortlisted for the Rising Star Award

Having your hard work recognised at this level is a fantastic achievement, and we couldn’t be prouder to have you in our business community.

Fingers crossed for the final results on 9 October 2026 as we head toward the Scottish Thistle Awards! 🤞🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

03/10/2026

Consultation extended. Have your say 👇

Short-term let consultation update and extended deadline 👇
https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/news/2026/oct/council-apologises-error-short-term-let-consultation

02/10/2026

HAVE YOUR SAY.

Argyll and Bute Council consultation for a proposed Visitor Levy scheme closes on 5th October.

AITC’s stance is clear: Now is not the time for a visitor levy in Argyll & the Isles.

While we support tourism investment, we are deeply concerned about visitor affordability, additional admin for accommodation providers, and the impact on our remote and island communities.

We will continue to represent our members and work constructively with the Council.

🗣 Ensure your voice is heard: https://bit.ly/4AEWfWd

29/09/2026

📣 Have your say on proposed short-term let control areas

Argyll and Bute Council is consulting on proposals covering:

• Mull and Iona
• Coll and Tiree
• Islay, Jura and Colonsay
• Lorn and the Inner Isles, including Oban

Why does this matter?

The proposals would require planning permission for changes of use from houses or flats that are not someone’s main home to short-term lets within the designated areas.

This matters for future self-catering provision, business investment and the balance between visitor accommodation and homes for local people and workers.

The Council states the designation would not retrospectively change existing operators’ planning requirements. Existing planning obligations would still apply.

We encourage tourism businesses and residents to read the proposals, check the boundary map and share practical evidence about the potential effects on your business and community.

🗓 Respond by 1 November 2026.
⏱ Allow around 20 minutes. Complete the form in one sitting.

Read the information and respond:
https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/form/stl-control-areas

22/09/2026

Social media marketing doesn’t need to feel like a full time job, a few smart adjustments can make your everyday content work so much harder for your business! 📸

Geordie, Social Media Manager for Wild About Argyll, is sharing his top tips to help local tourism businesses elevate their online presence:

1️⃣ Keep it authentic: Clean, real photos build visual trust and showcase the true quality of your visitor experience.

2️⃣ Celebrate guest content: Reposting visitor photos and videos shows the real, authentic experience of visiting your business - often more persuasive than your own shots. As a bonus, guests will often reshare it again to their own Stories, putting you in front of a whole new audience!

3️⃣ Collaborate with nearby businesses: Teaming up (shoutouts, joint posts, tagging each other etc.) helps you both reach a new but relevant audience.

If you're keen to share ideas, get involved in joint promotion, or connect with like-minded businesses, visit the link below to learn how AITC can help.

🔗 https://bit.ly/BecomeAnAITCMember

19/09/2026

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Ricky Harrison | Bute Yard 🌟

Collaboration is central to Bute Yard’s ethos, and Ricky loves helping visitors discover the very best of Bute and the surrounding areas.

Favourite Hidden Gem 🏰

"Mount Stewart is one of Bute’s most underappreciated gems. No matter how many times you visit, the architecture, interiors, and grounds are incredible - it genuinely surprises people."

Ideal Day Off 🦦

Snorkelling and exploring Bute’s quiet northern coastline past Ettrick Bay. "Sitting on the shore with a kettle over the fire watching a wild otter swim past - absolute peace."
On the mainland, he recommends taking the ferry from Rhubodach to Colintraive for an incredible drive north toward Inveraray.

Why AITC? 👇

“The biggest benefit is being part of a wider tourism network. Collaboration is a huge part of Bute Yard, so connecting with businesses across Argyll feels like a natural extension of what we do."

🤝Be sure to connect with Ricky and the team next time you’re on Bute! arg

18/09/2026

Vital infrastructure updates for Islay and Jura 🚢⚓

Upcoming works at Port Askaig mark a major step forward for regional transport resilience. As a critical gateway connecting Islay, Jura, and the mainland, ensuring this hub is modernised and reliable is essential for local communities, supply chains, and our visitor economy.

While temporary works bring short-term adjustments, long-term infrastructure investment is key to keeping our island destinations accessible, competitive, and open for business year round.

Stay updated on project timelines and travel guidance:
➡️ https://bit.ly/46Dnin1

11/09/2026

Join us on Tuesday, 29 September at 10:00 am for a special Zoom seminar with CTSI’s Holiday and Travel Law Lead Officer, Bruce Trelour.

Open to AITC members and non-members, this practical webinar will help you understand which travel laws apply to your business and what you need to do when creating, pricing, promoting and selling visitor experiences.

It will cover package travel rules, online and social media sales, insolvency protection, AI, contracts, insurance, FCDO advice and the legal requirements for combining accommodation, transport, tours or activities.

The session is particularly relevant to accommodation providers, tour and activity operators, guides, transport providers and any business developing or selling multi-part holidays or visitor packages.

Register via the link below:
👉 https://bit.ly/4iZpgWd

10/09/2026

Now is not the time for a visitor levy in Argyll & the Isles.

AITC has submitted a detailed response to Argyll and Bute Council’s proposed year-round £5 charge per room or accommodation area per night.

We support investment in our visitor economy. But we remain concerned about:

- Affordability for visitors and potential reductions in local spending.
- Additional costs and administration for accommodation providers.
- The impact on island and remote communities.

We are calling for the proposal to be paused until an independent assessment demonstrates whether the benefits would outweigh the costs and risks.

We will continue to represent our members and work constructively with the Council.

Read our full statement here: https://business.wildaboutargyll.co.uk/latest-news/

06/09/2026

While international tourism in Scotland is booming, the domestic market still faces challenges.

Prior to the launch of the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2026–31, the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) outlined three core priorities to support sector growth:

▪️Avoiding any additional taxes or regulatory burdens.

▪️Establishing a dedicated, long-term growth plan for tourism and hospitality.

▪️Tackling workforce shortages through investment in skills and apprenticeships.

With the Programme released earlier this week, the STA is now assessing how effectively the Government plans to meet industry needs. Read their full summary via the link below.

🔗https://bit.ly/4yjCpxK