Tourist business support Sunday ferries
The Outer Hebrides Tourism Industry Association have undertaken a survey of their members about attitudes towards Sunday sailings, and the results, and their reply to CalMac is unequivocal.
The organisation may be self-selecting and has an obvious self-interest in the outcome - whether that is for or against the proposals.
The really important part comes towards the end
It didn't take a genius to work out that introducing RET onto the Stornoway-Ullapool route would lead to even more crowded ferries and that a new, bigger, ferry would be required. Indeed, I remember arguing in the Council Chamber in 2005 that with no statistics about how many people were being turned away at Ullapool, CalMac didn't have the information to properly assess their needs on this route. And so it has turned out.
Any promises from Government to replace the ferries? Any financial planning to make the necessary provision?
No. But we did get a few press releases saying just how much money will be needed to deliver a proper service, but no sign of the actual hard cash being made available.
My prediction (for what it is worth) RET will be promised to be continued by all parties after the election, if you elect them, and they will all promise to undertake a review of the need to replace ferries after that election. The results of which will lead to a couple of bigger ferries being ordered (or promised to be ordered) in 2014-15, as that will be all that can be afforded.
In the meantime, CalMac will have to consider leasing bigger vessels, which will result in fare increases, but a not hugely better service.
In other words, the same substandard service for the next 10 years.
Isn't it ironic that an incompetent implementation of RET might actually cause more problems than it will solve, and set back the policy for many years?
The organisation may be self-selecting and has an obvious self-interest in the outcome - whether that is for or against the proposals.
The really important part comes towards the end
In addition, many of our members are also reporting issues with the current highAs tourism appears to be one of our best prospects for economic growth in the immediate future, we are looking at the situation where the visitors cannot get here as the ferries are too small, and consequently too full.
booking levels on the existing services, with some members experiencing
accommodation cancellations already from guests who are unable to secure a
suitable ferry crossing. We are extremely concerned that the increased level of traffic
originating from the islands (due to RET) will fill the limited summer capacity, leaving
tourism operators on the islands with empty beds, and willing visitors unable to travel
due to a lack of ferry capacity.
This is not just a Sunday service issue, but does contribute to the case for the
enhancement of weekday services as soon as practicable. If there is no improvement
to services, we face the real prospect of RET damaging the tourism industry of the
Outer Hebrides, as the limited current capacity fills with islanders making more
mainland trips.
It didn't take a genius to work out that introducing RET onto the Stornoway-Ullapool route would lead to even more crowded ferries and that a new, bigger, ferry would be required. Indeed, I remember arguing in the Council Chamber in 2005 that with no statistics about how many people were being turned away at Ullapool, CalMac didn't have the information to properly assess their needs on this route. And so it has turned out.
Any promises from Government to replace the ferries? Any financial planning to make the necessary provision?
No. But we did get a few press releases saying just how much money will be needed to deliver a proper service, but no sign of the actual hard cash being made available.
My prediction (for what it is worth) RET will be promised to be continued by all parties after the election, if you elect them, and they will all promise to undertake a review of the need to replace ferries after that election. The results of which will lead to a couple of bigger ferries being ordered (or promised to be ordered) in 2014-15, as that will be all that can be afforded.
In the meantime, CalMac will have to consider leasing bigger vessels, which will result in fare increases, but a not hugely better service.
In other words, the same substandard service for the next 10 years.
Isn't it ironic that an incompetent implementation of RET might actually cause more problems than it will solve, and set back the policy for many years?
2 comments:
I'm afraid we have a classic Catch 22 situation developing. More tourists but not enough beds. Create more beds for the few weeks of summer and that will mean more hotels shut for the Lewis Winter [9months long. Seems to be a massive increase in camper vans so far this year. Someone counted 14 in line to board IOL on Mon
It's that half-empty glass again. Except for events like HCF visitors only come if they have somewhere to stay so there is obviously some slack. The high season for hotels is 5 months - not 3. With better facilities and promotion this could increase to 6 or 7. A perceived excess of demand over supply should result in investment in more and better accommodation acrosss the range - from campsites to hotels. This has to be a good thing surely.
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