Tourism initiative a 'sustainable solution'

MORAY could become only the second Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) in the UK.

A survey has been sent to businesses across Moray ­connected with tourism to gauge attitudes about following a path which has been billed as a success in Inverness.

More than 800,000 visitors came to Moray last year, ­generating nearly £130 million for the local economy. However, the current funding model for Moray Speyside Tourism is unsustainable.

Laurie Piper (pictured), the manager at Moray Speyside Tourism said: "Our annual £55,000 funding from HIE will end next year and we already know that Moray Council will not be in a financial position to continue their annual support of £15,000.

"We need a long-term funding model in place so we can get on with what we do best which is promoting our region nationally and internationally and supporting businesses."

* Read the full story in this week's Forres Gazette.