Moray Coast: A Tourist Destination or not?
At the beginning of the week I went to the Visit Nairn association AGM, to see what was planned for promoting Nairn as a tourist destination.
Certainly there was a lot of very constructive talk, not least with addressing some of Nairn’s most outstanding issues. I’ll admit to being cautiously optimistic (and that’s from a cynic!) that Iain Fairweather’s team have the initiative and intelligence to help Nairn overcome basic hurdles, which in aiming to boost tourism, will also help us locals as well.
There doesn’t seem any better time for it – VisitScotland are quoted on the BBC as indicating that while American visitors may be put off travelling far this year because of economic problems back home, VisitScotland are expecting an increase in English and Scottish tourists:
Tourism ‘bullish’ amid recession
Scotland’s tourism boss has said the industry remains “confident and bullish” despite a drop of around 30% in corporate tourism business.
VisitScotland chief executive, Philip Riddle said, conversely the recession was also prompting more people from the UK to holiday in Scotland.
But he added the proportion of overseas visitors has fallen by up to 10%.
Mr Riddle said the decline had hit Scotland’s cities hardest, but rural areas have been faring better.
In the meantime, yesterday and today saw the VisitScotland expo in Glasgow.
Going through the list of exhibitors, I couldn’t help notice how little the “Inner Moray Firth” area seemed represented as a destination in itself.
Loch Ness and Cawdor Castle aside, there seems an uncomfortable suggestion that the Inverness to Nairn area is more a passing through point – a “gateway to the Highlands” – when I would have thought there was ample room to market this area as a destination in itself.
Perhaps I’m mistaken – at nearly £200 per square metre, minimum 6 metres space, per exhibitor, perhaps there’s a cost issue involved.
However, recent weekend outings along the Moray Coast suggest few seaside areas are really focused on tourism in general, and Nairn as no exception.
Despite superb beaches, few places seem to capitalise on their location, which means visitors are generally given the message to pop in and drive out, or else park somewhere and then take a long walk around out to facilities.
I’m not suggesting we should therefore concrete the coast and fill it with arcades and amusements – but as someone who came from East Yorkshire, and enjoyed the seaside towns on the coast there, I can’t help but notice the stark contrast.
In Yorkshire, visitors are catered for with a variety of outlets – beach supplies, cafes, ice cream parlours, pubs, arcades, gift shops, etc, line beach front promenades at Scarborough, Bridlington, Filey, Whitby, even Hornsea, come to mind.
The opening picture shows an image of Scarborough, with a whole line of facilities following the beach. Yet where is any of this on the Moray Coast?
Perhaps there really is a wider problem of the Moray Firth area seriously undervaluing itself as a destination point for tourists.
In the meantime, I can only hope the Visit Nairn AGM serves as a catalyst for giving this entire region the attention it deserves. Perhaps with the A96 corridor expansion we can look forward to a potential renaissance in tourism here.
And, as always, I’ll try do something about it myself. I’ve already been keeping busy … stay tuned. 
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4 Responses to “Moray Coast: A Tourist Destination or not?”
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It’s important to have a thoughtful discussion about the future of tourism in Nairn and indeed the Moray Firth coast. There’s a huge agenda to tackle, and it affects everyone. But we need to take care not to wreck the very things that (most) visitors come to the area to find.
With all due respect to Yorkshire and those who come from there, I am not sure that
“…a variety of outlets – beach supplies, cafes, ice cream parlours, pubs, arcades, gift shops, etc, lining beach front promenades”
is the formula for Nairn’s tourism future. Two fundamental points:
1) Times have changed. The entertainment and facilities of Filey, Scarborough and similar resorts date from an era when holiday patterns and expectations were different. Before cheap air travel, before video and the internet, in an age when people looked to “be entertained and amused”. Tourists and visitors now have different expectations. In particular…
2) People – and visitors – now value local character, nature, clean air and unspoilt environment much more than they used to. My guess is they don’t think of coming to Nairn in the hope of finding an ersatz Blackpool. What Nairn can offer – and what most visitors probably want – are clean beaches (no litter), clean seas (no sewage or pollution), fresh air (no traffic fumes), nice views, and yes, maybe even some exercise (golf, bike-ride, walk in green surroundings…). And whatever they want to do, they want to decent, interesting food (not Harry Ramsdens and McDonalds, but interesting local produce) and to eat and shop in places that are open at mealtimes and weekends.
In a nutshell, sustainable tourism, which plays to the unique character of the area. You can build a disco, games arcade, or amusement park anywhere. Such things don’t depend on, and rarely enhance, their immediate surroundings. So perhaps Nairn needs to think about targeting the tourists of the future, who will increasingly be looking for unique character and authenticity, rather than slot machines and T-shirt shops.
This also means we need to think very hard about what we build (or rebuild) in Nairn. Or we may end up ruining the very features that give Nairn the quality of life, and of leisure, that both residents and visitors seek.
Let the debate flourish!
Oh, I agree – I did mention that “I’m not suggesting we should therefore concrete the coast and fill it with arcades and amusements” – as much as highlight the point “Despite superb beaches, few places seem to capitalise on their location”.
The harbour redevelopment in Nairn is a clear example where something could have been achieved, but by all accounts, remains a lost opportunity.
I think it’s merely underlinging the point about a lack of joined up thinking for planning for tourism in the region, and that opportunities remain to revitalise this industry.
well said nairnbairn you have it in a nutshell we should promote nairn it has lots to offer green space beach golf the list goes on.
Nairnbairn has brilliantly outlined the issues the tourism group are debating. You are not a sleeper in the group that I don’t know about? Blackpool was never mentioned at our AGM. The debate has everything to do with managing our own destiny. Do nothing, say nothing and you get change forced upon you – and generally change we all hate. Engage as early as you can and you have the chance to manage and control the worst effects of change – often driven by government targets and obliging developers.
Nairnbairn, if you are not already on the tourism group, you should be! We now have a membership category of Friend of Nairn for those concerned about Nairn’s future and wish to contribute ideas and practical support.