VisitScotland blows it again...

[Pour1Malt]

here is a copy of the letter I am sending to the local newspaper...

Sir-
Is our local VisitScotland office completely worthless? Our business quit VisitScotland’s over-priced scheme over a year ago because of their overwhelming incompetence in promoting our Guest House and sending us tourists. But we have always found a good way to inform our guests about things to see and do in the area was by using the free VisitScotland publication (surprisingly appropriately named) ‘See & Do.’
We put a copy in each room of our Guest House and a small stack by the front door for tourists. After all, it is not enough for tourists to spend money at our Guest House only- we would like them to ‘share the wealth’ at many of the other fine businesses in our community.
During my last visit to the local VisitScotland tourist information office I was informed that, since I was no longer a member of VisitScotland, I was no longer allowed to pick up the free copies of ‘See & Do.’ … in other words…. Since I am not a member of VisitScotland; all the other local businesses who ARE members are going to be punished. VisitScotland will not have the tourists staying at my Guest House spending money at The Globe Inn, Camera Obscura, Casa Mia, Mabie Farm or other businesses advertised in the ‘See & Do’ guide.
Could VisitScotland possibly misunderstand how to support a community any more than they do? Could they possibly do more to harm local businesses? Are they completely worthless?
Robertson Wellen
Ferintosh Guest House
Dumfries

[beloitpiper]

This isn't the first time you've reported bad things about Visit Scotland, isn't it?

Hope this problem gets resolved.

[Pour1Malt]

no- not the first time....

they REALLY blew it earlier this year...

the old (now locked- because it is resolved) thread is here-

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=25542



.

[TimC]

Robertson, how you maintain your composure when dealing with these people is beyond me. Keep walking the correct route and trust that others will follow...someday, just not today. Keep up the fight and let us know what we can do to help.

-Tim

[McMurdo]

It certainly looks like they are completely worthless, do they even have a clue as to how to conduct their business?
I hope this gets resolved favorably for you and your guests.

[pdcorlis]

I'm sorry to hear that VisitScotland continues to act in such a counter productive way but for heavens sake Robertson - would you PLEASE SPEAK SCOTS??????? - I can hardly understand you!!!!

[Arlen]

Robertson, you do far better at being polite with them than I ever would be.
They really seem to be getting worse.

[auld argonian]

Does anybody realize what a boon tourism is? When I was last in New York City, it was brought to my attention that tourism is the number two business in NYC, the Stock Exchange being number one.

Chicago is in a budget crunch right now but there's always room for improvements to things that attract tourist. Why is that? Its about THE MONEY.

I've recently met many of the folks working for Canadian Tourism and they are smart and charming and very diplomatic. Pity that your local tourism office can't get the idea that their job is to boost tourism and not to alienate visitors and local businesses.

Best

AA

[Tattoo Bradley]

Man, that's too bad. Spite is an ugly beast.

[BEEDEE]

Robertson - like you I have a low tolerance for incompetence. But you at least have the patience to try and correct the situation. You deserve our praise and compliments for that.

Best of luck tilting at a Scottish windmill!

Brian