Comment posted Tourism Summit latest: VisitScotland announces £63,500 from Growth Fund for Argyll and the Isles by newsroom.
The fact that the visitscotland site for the area is underinformed and and out of date is the raison d’etre for the Argyll and the Isles initiative – which has been given growth funding by visitscotland. This has been done because that umbrella organisation now recognises that regions can represent themselves much more effectively; and that a tourism development model of local independence supported as appropriate by the national tourism agency may be the way forward.
In effect, Argyll and the isles is trialling this model which, if successful, can be rolled out across Scotland.
It should be obvious that we welcome informed ideas and innovative thinking. We will welcome even more the emergence of evidence that folk with ideas start putting them into action for the general good and rein back on the pointless negatives.
The Argyll and the Isles initiative can work – but as we have said, we have to do this for ourselves and not wait for it to be done for or to us.
We advise anyone with something to give to this enterprise – focused on contributing to the economic sustainability of Argyll and the Isles – to contact Mike Story who leads it: mike@mikestoryconsulting.co.uk
newsroom also commented
- Does anyone know who the prat in the silly mustard jacket is, who is talking at this minute on Scottish tourism – and seems to be talking FOR Scottish tourism – on STV’s Scotland Tonight. (22.42 12th April)
Steven / Stephen someone (?) talking totally vacuous nonsense.
- And there is another gem in the pipeline for the ‘Secrets Collection’.
- Surely anyone with any nous who saw a question anywhere and personally had useful information would simply make it available.
The core value of web-based communications is that they are open channel, tapping all willing sources of information and advice.
The previous monolithic concept of visitscotland disabled this sharing and could never possibly know enough itself – hence the awful thin drivel, often factually incorrect – which purported to ‘market’ the regions.
For Argyll has no official role in marketing Argyll – nor should it have because we have to bg free to analyse, evaluate and criticise as we see fit. We do though, do all we possibly can to promote it – on evidence – because we know that it will take all of us doing just that if it is to get the attention it can richly reward.
We have built a large audience which we can introduce to the aspects of Argyll and the Isles on which we publish.
Anyone can send us information and although there are times when we are swamped and drop a few balls, we do our level best to respond and to support the many inventive initiatives that are going on.
But we do not represent Argyll and the Isles in any way and anyone whom we offend should not allow that to reflect on that organisation.
We strongly support it because we independently believe it has the legs for the job and we will do everything possible to help it to work. - You’re missing nothing, Morag.
The Argyll and the Isles initiative is the best chance this area has ever had of branding and marketing itself within its own control.
It could not be more important.
At the time of the successful and determined recent tourism summit at Portavadie Marina, every one of the local marketing groups in Argyll and the Isles had signed up to it and were financially contributing to it.
This is the difference between this initiative and previous efforts. The folk at the sharp end believe in this one.
People have come to realise that however well a small locality markets itself, it needs the major area it sits in to be well publicised in a way that gives it instant recognisability and builds desire to be here.
It needs its essential character; its accessibility – airports, roads, ferries; and all of its attractions from the natural to the historical to the active – foregrounded to create that area magnetism which then puts wind in the sails of every local marketing enterprise.
It is not a case of either/or. It is a case of putting effort and money into both. They are not competitive. They are mutually engaged.
Even where there is no local marketing group, a successful marketing of Argyll and the Isles will bring local benefit across the area by putting it way up on the worldwide map with the sot of imagination and drive it has shown so far.
But it needs all of us to get in there and back it up with all we’ve got.
The majority who believe in the capacity of the tourist industry to lift Argyll towards sustainability can make it happen by improving the quality of what is on offer locally; and by developing the depth, texture and up to date accuracy of local information available – and by signing up to Argyll and the Isles.
This is emphatically not a time for blinkered splinter groups. We have seen a trail of previous attempts – from visitscotland downwards – to market Argyll and none of them were ever going to work.
The Argyll and the Isles brand has everything it takes, including the crucial buy-in right across the spectrum from local marketing groups, to the council to visitscotland to government.
But this is being done and has to be done BY us. It is not being done FOR us by some distant benevolent but uninformed authority. It is OUR initiative.
In our view, sniping from the sidelines instead of getting in there is blind and self destructive as well as widely damaging.
We CAN do this.
- There is a counter productive contradiction here. You identify too many marketing groups as the problem – and then announce yet another one.
You say Argyll needs to think bigger while driving down the focus of thought to small initiatives.
For Argyll has observed, analysed and written on a host of marketing initiatives in and for Argyll over some years and the current overarching initiative, branding Argyll and the Isles, is in our evidenced and considered judgment the one with the legs for the job.
It has got unprecedentedly widescale buy in. It needs universal buy in. This is a time for everyone to get behind a single muscular initiative for Argyll and the Isles. It is emphatically not a time for yet more splinter groups.
The logic is irrefutable. If market awareness of Argyll and the Isles is driven upwards strongly, it benefits every area within that territory.
Where, as now, market awareness of Argyll and the Isles is low, who is going even to look at a pocket area within it?
If we act together, we can lobby to get the infrastructure right – and however attractive any area is, getting there pleasureably and without breaking the axle of your car is an entry point qualifier.
We need to remember that people are not short of choices of places to go – and within Scotland itself.
We all need to work together to put Argyll and the Isles on the map – buoyed by the best possible information on our own part of it and most importantly, supported by quality improvements in all goods, services and service ethos.
And what we do not need is more talk, We need more action – which is what the Argyll and the Isles initiative is working ferociously hard to make happen.This sounds very much like a self-centred business initiative careless of the wider good. Argyll needs business enterprises but it does not need those to rubbish and subvert in their own narrow interests a genuinely beneficial and hard won umbrella initiative.
Recent comments by newsroom
- Iain McCallum: the human bridge between Campbeltown and Heroes Challenge UK
Alan – we’ll try to get a message to the team for you – and will pass on your email to them for dir3ect contact.
The communications side of things is a weak link – not just with wifi and mobile signal problems but with accurate information on ETAs and even destinations.
We spent the afternoon today chasing around unsuccessfully to find them at their stated destination in Campbeltown – confirmed before we set off to drive – when in fact they finished at The Putechan Hotel, which is on the west coast of Kintyre and well short of Campbeltown. Very frustrating.
We did see the team doing the hard stuff though – passing them on the way south. They were cycling in two clusters, impressively easily and very disciplined in the way they were dealing with traffic streams behind them.
You should know that we now understand that they will row tomorrow from Campbeltown to Glenarm and not to Ballycastle; and that it looks as if they will row back not form Newcastle but from Bangor to Portpatrick.
They’ll be delighted to see you mi-channel. Great idea. - Argyll and Bute Council: Where are we now?
The difference is that the new ferry to Campbeltown had an arrival time and actually arrived.
A major part of what we work to do is to support initiatives at all levels that are focused on regeneration and are driven by positive, creative energies that make things happen.
Campbeltown wins hands down over Kilmory any minute of any day on these criteria – and we never spare ourselves travelling and hard work on a cause that has some hope of going somewhere.
And just in case you are implying that this was a jolly – which we never do: I myself drove to Campbeltown – 1 hr 30m – did the work and drove back again immediately. - Argyll and Bute Council: Where are we now?
This amusing spin disguises the fact that there was no political ‘speculation’.
There was formally recorded political realignment and manoeuvering by all councillors – which was done in some urgency before the council meeting, yet appears to have stalled – for some reason and for the time time being at least.
Councillors do not seem to realise that this adds to the alienation of voters rather than assuage concerns. - Big welcome at Campbeltown for new Ardrossan ferry
We understand she carried about 60 passengers and although, flying around to catch as much as possible, we didn’t have time to count the cars coming off, we did look out for this and there were a respectable number of them. - Argyll and Bute Council: Councillor McCuish leads again
We appreciate that it is inconvenient for a light to be shone on doings your party would prefer to keep hidden in shady places from those it asks to vote for it.
That is a dishonourable contract.
As the former Alliance of Independent Councillors [which had nothing at all do with Michael Russell ] knows very well, when it was damaging Argyll and Bute by its conduct during the 2010-11 schools closure wars, we were even more vigilant in keeping them under scrutiny and publishing on their manoeuvres.
We had to be even more vigilant because they were skilled at keeping things under wraps – where the SNP has conducted its acts of political genocide en plein air. All anyone has had to do is draw up a chair.
It should be obvious from our stance in recent weeks that we have no ‘vendetta’ against Councillor Dick Walsh, whom we dealt with arguably more harshly than we have done with Mr Russell.
A central function of our role is to contribute to the holding to account of those elected to serve the people. We do our best to fulfil this fairly – and hard. But we have no vendetta against anyone.
In Mr Russell’s case we simply feel he is a hot air balloon who has imploded over Argyll and done a great deal of harm – profoundly so to his own party, which we used to support. The evidence for our view is in the public domain.
powered by SEO Super Comments
Too little too late. Tourism was fast declining 5 years ago but we are still doing the same old marketing which is completely ineffective, too many groups, too much talking and meetings
A new marketing organisation to serve Tarbert, Argyll, Loch Fyne and Kintyre called TALK has been setup to provide new innovative marketing in association with professional full time tourism and technical companies in Argyll including Destination Loch Fyne Ltd and Argyll Web Design Ltd.
If all shops, events, small businesses subscribed to Argyll.org for just 25 pounds, one of the top websites for Argyll, and if each accommodation provider subscribed at just 100 pounds each, we would have 1 million pounds to spend on TV advertising, premium radio and run a professional dedicated marketing presence for Argyll.
Argyll really needs to start thinking bigger, much bigger, find out more at http://www.argyll.org/talk it really is time to talk.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
There is a counter productive contradiction here. You identify too many marketing groups as the problem – and then announce yet another one.
You say Argyll needs to think bigger while driving down the focus of thought to small initiatives.
For Argyll has observed, analysed and written on a host of marketing initiatives in and for Argyll over some years and the current overarching initiative, branding Argyll and the Isles, is in our evidenced and considered judgment the one with the legs for the job.
It has got unprecedentedly widescale buy in. It needs universal buy in. This is a time for everyone to get behind a single muscular initiative for Argyll and the Isles. It is emphatically not a time for yet more splinter groups.
The logic is irrefutable. If market awareness of Argyll and the Isles is driven upwards strongly, it benefits every area within that territory.
Where, as now, market awareness of Argyll and the Isles is low, who is going even to look at a pocket area within it?
If we act together, we can lobby to get the infrastructure right – and however attractive any area is, getting there pleasureably and without breaking the axle of your car is an entry point qualifier.
We need to remember that people are not short of choices of places to go – and within Scotland itself.
We all need to work together to put Argyll and the Isles on the map – buoyed by the best possible information on our own part of it and most importantly, supported by quality improvements in all goods, services and service ethos.
And what we do not need is more talk, We need more action – which is what the Argyll and the Isles initiative is working ferociously hard to make happen.This sounds very much like a self-centred business initiative careless of the wider good. Argyll needs business enterprises but it does not need those to rubbish and subvert in their own narrow interests a genuinely beneficial and hard won umbrella initiative.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I take great offence to your statement – This sounds very much like a self-centred business initiative careless of the wider good. Argyll needs business enterprises but it does not need those to rubbish and subvert in their own narrow interests a genuinely beneficial and hard won umbrella initiative – what you seem to be indicating is that there is no room in Argyll for businesses and those that provide professional marketing services should move aside for organisations that do marketing as a hobby, in fact according to statistics Loch Fyne is actually better known than Argyll I am sorry to say, and stands a considerably better chance of adopting a cohesion with the food and consumer groups trying to be reached, you say we need action, i dont believe making one website action, marketing and development should be a coherent and accessible strategy with all groups and all businesses, from experience I can advise you that if you dont share the same ideas of those who lead then you are not granted the opportunity to take part, the more people rely on third sector, the more people will leave the area, it just seems there are too many protected castles with very little gold in the keeps. My businesses have been created as a result of the third sector groups and organisations that unfortunately do not know how the internet and business development work and pound for pound I can deliver a more cost efficient solution, the bi-product is I make a living with what I am doing, the main product is that Argyll and Loch Fyne become controlled by small businesses and do not stay reliant on third sector organisations and the dictatorship regime that seem to ignore local businesses in favour of hiring people and services from well outside the local boundaries. But you have kindly answered my question and that is there is no place in Argyll for small businesses aswell as third sector organisations. Not impressed with your accusations if im honest.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Well said Nick!……the “wider good” is for small businesses to survive and thrive on their own. Sustainable growth is not achieved via displacement from public sector funding!!!….esp that which is spent outwith our region (i.e.: website & consultants!)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
This sounds very much like a self-centred business initiative careless of the wider good.
I thought this as well, but was far too polite to say it. However, few businesses are motivated solely by altruism,and those that are often do not survive for long.
Re. the Argyll and the Isles website – any particular reason why it was designed by a Glasgow city agency rather than one of the many Argyll-based creative/web businesses?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Within the technical and marketing sector there needs to be an altruistic element for sustaining businesses that do not qualify for third sector or grant funding and that seem to be isolated from being used, as you pointed out that much of Argylls development marketing is outsourced affecting sustainability and economic growth.
Small businesses are reliant on third sector that is not working, there are no distance selling opportunities, local businesses as you have pointed out are not used, I have even had advertising blocked by the Oban Times group on the grounds of competition which should show that there are real issues with how the upper echelons of power bottleneck funding and opportunities.
After delivering a number of successful voluntary events and making a great contribution to Argyll society I created business models that would provide myself with a living doing something I love, but selflessly and more importantly to allow other small businesses to take forward marketing in a professional way and collaborate, of course there is a cost naturally but i believe pound for pound it could make a better difference and not be controlled by third sector groups.
I commend you on the note regarding the Argyll and The Isles website, the Heart of Argyll website was completed in Dunoon, Tarbert Harbour was done by Hotscot of Inverness, even at least one person from Argyll and Bute council IT team appear to run website development companies on the side, £2million pounds has been spent on construction work in Tarbert in the last two years with no jobs, no apprenticeships and all the money being awarded to Edinburgh based companies, and people wonder why there are so many unemployed, no prospects and an increasing rate of depression, mental illness and alchol dependencies as a result. It’s such a shame, Argyll is a great place, with great potential, it just seems that help is not getting to those people that need it the most, if it is I certainly cant see it, why does a community need grant money for planting apple trees, it’s a farce, there are more important things that Argyll needs I am sure!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I have even had advertising blocked by the Oban Times group on the grounds of competition
Oh, really? And I thought it was just me . . .
I was also refused membership of the tourist board a few years ago.
How do you feel about the local Enterprise Company using our money to promote a company from the East Coast on their web design courses – and using one of their trainers in preference to a local company? ( ARTICLE HERE )
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Good to have some constructive support, thanks.
Im hoping they will offer free courses on plumbing, electrician, building and car mechanics so i dont have to pay for other services aswell, i have to say im not impressed with the methodology unless theres benefits to all.
I also recently applied for startup funding for businesses i started, however was only allowed to submit one, and subsequently was not successful in any four business startups for grant money despite stating clearly the money would be used to employ part time staff.
I would be happy to join up with other web companies locally, to place a case of concern to the enterprise involved, i also think that any web contracts for third sector organisations should be tendered without identifying the companies involved,the enterprise should also provide a list of web companies locally to all new business startups which they do not.
There is a considerable zone of exclusion to use local companies, im even seeing a group of individuals starting a marketing group in tarbert called tarbert collective because they refuse to accept there is a cost to professional web delivery and marketing, trying to create this free economy is removing the rights and power of small businesses,although on the bright side perhaps i can go and eat or drink free in the village, or help myself to art and paintings, maybe some benefits after all…
Whats your thoughts? Oh id like to add disappointing about not being a member of the tourist board, although i have received two quotes from the chairman of visit scotland to use endorsing loch fyne as a visitor destination, so at least someone sees value in my work.
I do have some innovative strategies for economic growth and marketing that would work, perhaps we should connect, the more positive action the better!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Nick,
Did you read the comment from BobG on our blog? He is the CEO of a very successful web development company on the East coast. Same story.
The way local enterprise companies behave is a disgrace across Scotland, not just in Argyll. Cronyism and a failure to support local business is the norm unfortunately.
If local businesses can come together to protest this misuse and waste of public funds and try to make Business Gateway and similar organisations work for local businesses instead of for themselves then that would be great, but what is the way forward?
Perhaps some of us could get together to give a series of independent workshops on web design, internet marketing and social media? I am not sure how we would fund it though – you can be sure there would be no help forthcoming from the cartel.
If you or anyone else is interested then please e-mail me at my Webcraft address. I would be very happy to set up a dedicated forum to get the ball rolling.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Nicks, drop me a msg, I’d like to discuss
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
“…and an increasing rate of depression, mental illness and alchol dependencies as a result.”
Can I ask where you found the evidence for this statement and also its connection to the work being outsourced to Edinburgh.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Lowry, the impact of poor ethics from third sector organisations combined with the increasing depravity, lack of access to business opportunities and abhorrent treatment by groups of individuals responsible for spending sums of money, from experience can result in a number of detriments. Being on the end of victimisation by a group of organisations in tarbert due to having a different opinion and good argument has led to deliberate exclusion of opportunities, in particular after drawing their attention to a number of illegalities regarding their operation and application of their decision making, a clear movent of professional chess pieces within Argylls social board as a result is also clearly visible which includes ex police, council employees and other individuals who for now will remain unnamed.
Ive been in the position to encounter depression previously as a result of unemployment, lack of opportunity, lack of support or assistance, if someone with skills, businesses, potential and the need to help social improvement for people powerless to help themselves can be affected by the high level of outsourcing and lack of opportunity then i dont have much confidence for people who have little or nothing.
In summary, as an incomer almost 12 years ago i have experience of all aspects of Argyll, i can clarify that the decision making process not helping sustaining employment within Argyll and retaining prosperity will have far reaching detriments, if i feel depressed, ill, or the need to consume increasing amounts of alchohol, again i can only imagine the problems that many others are facing finding work or a job, so bringing £2 milion into a small village of 2000 people and not creating one job, do you agree that is a very depressing statistic?? What might the long term impact be, particularly where grant funding in future may beheavily restricted, for those trying to grow and develop export businesses and more i think its considerably depressing…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I am not a business nor intend to create one, but I am a user of local businesses. It seems eminently sensible to have small umbrella organisations working to enhance small local companies using local talents.
Large organisms such as VisitScotland cannot know the nuances at local level. They are too unwieldy.
Or am I missing something?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
You’re missing nothing, Morag.
The Argyll and the Isles initiative is the best chance this area has ever had of branding and marketing itself within its own control.
It could not be more important.
At the time of the successful and determined recent tourism summit at Portavadie Marina, every one of the local marketing groups in Argyll and the Isles had signed up to it and were financially contributing to it.
This is the difference between this initiative and previous efforts. The folk at the sharp end believe in this one.
People have come to realise that however well a small locality markets itself, it needs the major area it sits in to be well publicised in a way that gives it instant recognisability and builds desire to be here.
It needs its essential character; its accessibility – airports, roads, ferries; and all of its attractions from the natural to the historical to the active – foregrounded to create that area magnetism which then puts wind in the sails of every local marketing enterprise.
It is not a case of either/or. It is a case of putting effort and money into both. They are not competitive. They are mutually engaged.
Even where there is no local marketing group, a successful marketing of Argyll and the Isles will bring local benefit across the area by putting it way up on the worldwide map with the sot of imagination and drive it has shown so far.
But it needs all of us to get in there and back it up with all we’ve got.
The majority who believe in the capacity of the tourist industry to lift Argyll towards sustainability can make it happen by improving the quality of what is on offer locally; and by developing the depth, texture and up to date accuracy of local information available – and by signing up to Argyll and the Isles.
This is emphatically not a time for blinkered splinter groups. We have seen a trail of previous attempts – from visitscotland downwards – to market Argyll and none of them were ever going to work.
The Argyll and the Isles brand has everything it takes, including the crucial buy-in right across the spectrum from local marketing groups, to the council to visitscotland to government.
But this is being done and has to be done BY us. It is not being done FOR us by some distant benevolent but uninformed authority. It is OUR initiative.
In our view, sniping from the sidelines instead of getting in there is blind and self destructive as well as widely damaging.
We CAN do this.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Im certainly not saying that the marketing groups are wasteful in fact it is to be applauded that voluntary groups do contribute and voluntary work in general is a good thing, but its not selfless, and I dont believe that there are sufficient layers to allow everyone to have a say or opinion, certainly if all that the biggest organisations and groups can find is £100,000 for its entire marketing budget for Argyll its pretty awful.
I just think that we reinvent the wheel all the time, everytime there is a grant award there is a new website and a bit of advertising, it just seems wasteful, the world works in a much different way today but we seem still to be led by business techniques that have long been consigned to the history books, and because its run by voluntary groups its lazy, Argyll needs to physically have a presence around the UK actively marketing and connecting with people representing brands, large businesses, activities, but it should also be measurable, where is the information that tells us the proportion of visitors, how much marketing is done in Japan, the second biggest golfing nation in the world? Where is all the data on Argyll marketing, what has been done, where are the strategies, what companies are involved and why, what facilities are provided to deliver distance selling and opportunities to home workers, sole traders and more?
As a significant player in the digital marketing sector in Argyll i certainly didnt receive an invite to the tourism summit, in fact despite the best marketing heads in the county why wasnt I aware that it was even on? Not everyone reads the Argyllshire Advertiser, be it a crime or not!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
very valid points Nick; couple of additional…..the focus has always been on marketing…your right about the budget as it won’t stretch that far, especially, if there will be someone paid to manage it.
in my opinion, we should be focusing our efforts on the M in DMO. Unfortunately, Destination Management Organisation/s have proliferated in search for funding for marketing…when this happens, a DMO then gets focused on expensive marketing, with minimal focus on the Management of our destination or destinations? We need the visitor experience to be world class, so we need to have world class knowledge, skills, innovation, access, internal & external comms etc etc.
Brand development is important and signing up to an Argyll & Isles is a must but “improving the quality of what is on offer locally; and by developing the depth, texture and up to date accuracy of local information available” is the key and I’m not convinced this will happen as it requires some change. As far as I see it, change is not at the heart of Argyll & Isles, its just more of the same but masquerading under an umbrella entity/brand. I’m supportive but we need new management and this won’t be achieved via an expensive marketing campaign run by whom????? Maybe the Argyll & Isles Tourism, could identify themselves? who are the Directors, what is the business/investment plan that is being delivered on our behalf?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I couldn’t agree more, your absolutely right, there is little in terms of sustainability to deliver a full time depth of facilities in the region which does need to be addressed, there is massive competition for visitors, particularly in the UK market and we need to really develop, but more importantly provide a self sustaining network in Argyll and remove this reliance on grant funding.
Id be pleased to contribute.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
You seem a tad defensive about the Argyll and the Isles initiative and if I may say a little rude to those that have posted some good and valid points.Far from sniping from the sidelines there has been a lot of good constructive criticism from your posters who to me seem to know what they are talking about.
Have you visited Visit Scotlands website recently and their website for this region http://www.visitscottishheartlands.com/areas/argyll/index.cfm so out of date and no events updated for this year as yet and you wonder why businesses in Argyll are voicing their opinions.
(The folk at the sharp end believe in this one.)..can you tell me who these people are at the sharp end? because as a local business person I have no great faith in yet another underperforming attempt to bring Argyll into this century.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The fact that the visitscotland site for the area is underinformed and and out of date is the raison d’etre for the Argyll and the Isles initiative – which has been given growth funding by visitscotland. This has been done because that umbrella organisation now recognises that regions can represent themselves much more effectively; and that a tourism development model of local independence supported as appropriate by the national tourism agency may be the way forward.
In effect, Argyll and the isles is trialling this model which, if successful, can be rolled out across Scotland.
It should be obvious that we welcome informed ideas and innovative thinking. We will welcome even more the emergence of evidence that folk with ideas start putting them into action for the general good and rein back on the pointless negatives.
The Argyll and the Isles initiative can work – but as we have said, we have to do this for ourselves and not wait for it to be done for or to us.
We advise anyone with something to give to this enterprise – focused on contributing to the economic sustainability of Argyll and the Isles – to contact Mike Story who leads it: mike@mikestoryconsulting.co.uk
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
newsroom….you need to do a wee bit of research. “in effect, Argyll and the Isles is trialling this model which, if successful, can be rolled out across Scotland.”……what new model is that?
A public/private funded DMO?…..that we’ve had for numerous years throughout Scotland. We’ve had successes in amongst them but many more failures. I’m a staunch supporter of the need for Argyll & Isles Tourism but not for large centralised pot….I’m of the belief that private sector could and should pick up the investment required in marketing and a body should be focused on management and seek public funds/lever private finance to deliver strategic projects.
The only scenario I foresee is a public spending landscape that will see VS/A&BC and others continue to invest in Argyll & the Isles Tourism whilst divesting in the 28 marketing groups that apply to them?
There is always winners and losers when it comes to prioritising resources and I would have loved to see Argyll & Isles gain some early wins or projects under their belts to evidence that agencies, groups, businesses and communities will work together for greater good.
The conferences are great headlines, the funding even more so but what about the detail??
I’m a supporter of independence and reducing the number of groups applying for marketing funds etc. However, I feel the public/private partnership could have been achieved via the delivery of strategic projects/actions that had commercial focus.
The third sector solution we have arrived at will result in grant dependency, ie: the costs of getting 28 directors into the one room alone will be interesting! (or do they communicate using modern technology?)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
http://visitargyllandtheisles.com/ is their latest attempt
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Not impressed by this. It feels dated and rather flat.
Could almost smell the haggis and shortbread!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Is there a unified brand carrying us forward? We developers such as Webcraft and Net Visuals have been delivering good work and strong brands locally for years.. The question shoulnt be about what Argyll represents but to find out what the consumer wants from Argyll, that is the key i believe to our success, pointless marketing something consumers wont buy isnt it?
Loved the smelling the haggis and shortbread comment though it did make me giggle, although on occasion i do like both, but not together!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hi Morag, I don’t think your missing anything, in my opinion Visit Scotland has an important place on an international scale but it’s always going to place cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh in premium positions whereas rural parts of Scotland naturally become second fiddle due to population count and GDP (gross domestic product) and doesnt know smaller details like you have pointed out.
Businesses aside, I also think everyday citizens have good ideas and information often overlooked, residential groups are also valuable.
Im just really puzzled why the small business private sector is overlooked, i cant ever remember business needing to be so competitive, it seems unnaturally so
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Could we perhaps be informed if ForArgyll or any associated businesses have an interest or stake in the Argyll and the Isles initiative, and if so what the nature of that interest is?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I think we’ve probably all got a stake in the success of Argyll & The Isles to a degree, perhaps these are just really difficult times but im seeing little benefit on the ground, so who are receiving the benefits from the initiative as a whole?
Certainly a web developers working group across Argyll might be a useful scenario.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
hmm..not sure, I sometimes feel a “stake” is only extended to minority who say “yes’ and nod heads. dissent is handled with yellow card or trip to sin bin. If you don’t conform to the strategy and actions that are defined on your behalf, expect a very unprofessional phone call from a Visitscotland director who will try and access commercial info and also question motives. However, it does give you an insight to where we are as a strategic group when our national tourism body isn’t complimentary of partners and at same time tries to interrogate a residents interest in the development of tourism.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Yes, I get the same treatment, either offensive emails, derogatory public slurring, or ignored completely by organisations, I think the best way forward is to collectively get as much data from Visit Scotland as possible for the last 5 years and put a case study together for the Scottish Executive, I also think that we should look into the actions and patterns of local organisations that arent delivering on their constitutional aims and requirements although difficult when organisations clam up when they get an email.
I can see a clear division of funding removed from Visit Scotland in the next few years in favour of local tourism organisations leaving them with the international focus, I think Visit Scotland is a required brand, but I also feel it is antiquated, id like to see copies of Visit Scotland and Argyll & The Isles market research, business research, brand research, growth plans, digital strategies, enterprise strategy, sustainability strategy and tourism facility development strategy docs.
One thing that I am confused by is that Loch Fyne Oysters have just been bought for in excess of £10million, the 40+ UK restaurants connect with thousands of seafood consumers each week however no one is capitalising on this famous brand, naturally if the restaurants place marketing and advertising, people search for Loch Fyne online, this has incredible power for food businesses here, I just cant understand why its being ignored, there is nothing to fear, a place name cannot be exclusively trademarked, teaming up with the owners of the LF restaurants would be a great step.. if only they would answer letters too we’d be in a great position.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
nick – forargyll is the chosen news feed for Argyll and Isles Tourism…..http://www.argyllandtheisles.com/pages/news.html so…ForArgyll will benefit…..however that is merited as they streets ahead of other involved in news. They’re blog ranks highly because of its social engagement, so I personally welcome their stake
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Interesting, I would have thought from a professional marketing perspective delivery of information across a number of websites would have had far more impact to a variety of demographics rather than just one site, shouldnt Forargyll, Argyll & The Isles and other organisations be distributing as much information through as many channels as possible so we can all find out whats going on…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
agree….I’ve tried to engage For Argyll on Twitter and met with silence. I understand they won’t have the resources to man every medium but; in terms of visitor service, it has to be done! what happens if a visitor asks a question following some news posted via For Argyll twitter account…..we would discourage a tourism operator to not to answer a phone or email….same with twitter! Maybe I’ll get an answer via this thread?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I think you’ve hit on something, and that is information delivery, marketing, customer service is almost a 24 hour dedicated job for a team, it cant possibly be manned by a group of volunteers that have other businesses and other work, im sure they wont put down their jobs and businesses to answer queries, although I did apply for the Bute tourism representative job and didnt get an interview, if Bute has a tourism and marketing employee I think Argyll could certainly look at doing the same for every area. Fingers crossed you get some replies.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Surely anyone with any nous who saw a question anywhere and personally had useful information would simply make it available.
The core value of web-based communications is that they are open channel, tapping all willing sources of information and advice.
The previous monolithic concept of visitscotland disabled this sharing and could never possibly know enough itself – hence the awful thin drivel, often factually incorrect – which purported to ‘market’ the regions.
For Argyll has no official role in marketing Argyll – nor should it have because we have to bg free to analyse, evaluate and criticise as we see fit. We do though, do all we possibly can to promote it – on evidence – because we know that it will take all of us doing just that if it is to get the attention it can richly reward.
We have built a large audience which we can introduce to the aspects of Argyll and the Isles on which we publish.
Anyone can send us information and although there are times when we are swamped and drop a few balls, we do our level best to respond and to support the many inventive initiatives that are going on.
But we do not represent Argyll and the Isles in any way and anyone whom we offend should not allow that to reflect on that organisation.
We strongly support it because we independently believe it has the legs for the job and we will do everything possible to help it to work.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I think weve demonstrated that there is so much disparity and difference of opinion so how do we go about finding a common way forward, Argyll has a common outlook that peoples business ideas are fair game with a plagouristic view that anything created in Argyll can be used or taken regardless of public or private creation, the reason some of us will not be proactive in coming forward is that our ideas are our own and have some commercial value, isnt that why the group is working to support innovative businesses, Argyll even had to bribe businesses to come here with millions of pounds of public money then they leave, wind farm anyone, why on earth in 12 years has not one serious commercial enterprise been created in Argyll, i believe the Argyll & The Isles enterprise focus shouldnt be on marketing but on creating new innovative sustainable industry, and as Daniel said levering private funding, im sure at least one of the directors will have contacts in China, Saudi, Dubai or other middle eatern fuel rich country??
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Dear Scots Renewables
I can catagoricaly state that ForArgyll and /or any of its associated businesses do not have any financial or management stake in Argyll and The Isles Strategic Tourism Partnership, or its trading arm Argyll and The Isles Tourism.
As we have publicly stated on several occassions, we borrowed the Argyll and The Isles website from Food for Argyll. Forargyll were the embedded news provider, and given the passion they show for all things Argyll, we chose to keep them. If anyone has any doubts about ForArgyll’s independence, just check out the kicking AISTP got after our first summit in 2011.
To paraphrase Nick We have all got a stake in the success of Argyll and The Isles.
When the new revamped site is built and launched, we would hope to have the continued support and involvement of ForArgyll and any other business or individuals who sees value in supporting tourism in Argyll and The Isles.
There is one joint project between ForArgyll and AISTP
Lynda Henderson and I have been soliciting articles on “Argyll and The Isles hidden treasures” These are a series of features detailing the fantastic hidden gems of our region that local people may know about, but will be shared with visitors and journalists both far and wide, increasing both the depth and flavour of our areas.
If anybody would like to donate this kind of material, please contact Forargyll.
Mike Story
Vice Chair
Argyll and the Isles STP
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
And there is another gem in the pipeline for the ‘Secrets Collection’.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It seems particularly obvious that we are moving towards an independent local tourism service in the next 3 to 5 years, the expense to Visit Scotland for its few members in our region must be of concern, with that in mind can we have some honesty and long term public strategies and look to create a professional delivery at all times, if Argyll & The Isles is as important as its directors and For Argyll insist, if we are all indeed stakeholders in the success of the initiative I think it needs to quantify in a measurable way how it intends to deliver a bigger stake in national and international trade, what our sacrifices are likely to be, and what potential returns are expected, this must reflect on case studies from other innovations, there is a necessity for economic reports and tourism reports, can we have an analysis of Visit Scotlands information centres footfall that is recorded on a daily basis so we can look at trends in tourism by month, year and location, can we analyse existing penetrative market research and survey insights?
There are lots of demographics, lots of brand aware groups, different classes of consumers, how does Food From Argyll and the Argyll & The Isles intend to reach trade, basic, middle class and premium consumers?
Following on from that who is taking the responsibility for a team to go round the UK providing information, exhibitions, displays, food tastings, trade sales and distance selling promotion to events and festivals in England, Wales & Ireland? Can we get Nick Nairn involved to be a face for Scottish food, can we combine with other rural counties to deliver a penetrative strategy? Id like to do it, but im not doing that for free aswell!
Which other premium destinations in the UK is Argyll teaming up with, again I have ideas, im going to try and look at teaming Destination Loch Fyne up with the Lake District before anyone else decides to plagiorise another of my ideas.
My overall view as demonstrated that this is all a requirement to develop sucessful delivery and doing the same old exhibitions isnt enough, Gordon Ramsey hasnt made a brand by doing a few exhibitions, hes everywhere we look, books, tv, radio, leaflets, products, thats what it takes.
What we need is full time, whole time, and with the greatest respect im not sure at this time organisations and businesses that have lead for years are best placed alone to take us forward, despite Loch Fyne Oysters sucess in the marketplace they had to be bought to ensure future susainability, and that is one of Argylls flagship businesses.
Can we take some time please to really think what were doing, what the impact is on the next tier down, what are the short and long term problems, incentives and successes, what impact will decisions have to unemployed, to existing suppliers?
Google was created by two men in a garage and is one of the biggest companies in the world, we’ve great minds here in Argyll, how on earth between us can we not create a unique product in the marketplace that can provide hundreds of people with hope and long term employment is a mystery to me.
One great idea could reshape Argyll for the better and provide so much, if people at the sharp end of taking forward our hope in Argyll cannot deliver can we please start to get downstream funding and work to those of us that think we can deliver.
Again, a commendable contribution Mike, its a good starting point.
Best
Nick
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
There is indeed.
A couple in fact. One from Islay and one from Mid Argyll.
watch this space!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Youve not answered the questions and also not responded to my other post at the bottom of this post. Please politely do so or if you cant provide any information that demonstrates competence please can you email info@argyll.org with an address for formal communication, i believe it is in our interests to investigate the ethics, decisions and strategies being delivered on our part.
If you can tell me what you do for a job Mike i would be delighted to approach your potential customers and provide them with contacts to get work out of Argyll, isnt that what your doing to me?
Also there are wonderful coach companies throughout the UK that come to Scotland, perhaps through my portfolio it would be a good thing to let people know that they dont need to book or use Highland Heritage coach tours in favour of other company such as Shearings or Bowmans, again, if the ethics cannot prevail in our society with the primary aim of acting selflessly then i dont think that there should be an expectation that those who keep seats warm in organisations such as your own should receive favourable or fair promotion in return, the power of my businesses in the tourism industry is underated and much misunderstood.
So start to play the game by common rules, not ones that you make up as you go along, because it will only come back to bite you.
So if you can identify to me the web contracts awarded by Argyll & The Isles, how much for, and the companies to then that would be most appreciated, do it here Mike please its in the puplic interest, particularly the new Argyll Web Developers Association.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Thanks for that Mike.
I think you will have realised from Nick and Daniel’s comments and from my previous polemics against Business Gateway that many local businesses are suspicious of further ‘initiatives’ that seem to favour some shadowy cartel and that conspicuously bypass local businesses and providers.
FWIW, we also use ForArgyll as the embedded news provide,r on the home page of Oban and Lorn Online. Your reassurance on their independence is welcomed.
What sort of support and involvement is AISTP hoping for from local businesses once the new site is up and running?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Not exactly innovative but it is for Argyll. These young guys are doing fine job and they should be supported with equally sophisticated website and marketing campaigns for the region! Well Done Coastal Connection http://coastal-connection.tumblr.com/post/20958544040
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I think dependency on one industry is dangerous. However, with the focus on renewables, in particular wind farms, many industries may be damaged (e.g. toursim) with no jobs to replace those lost. Some entrepeneurs may think about marketing their guest house/hotel as not being within sight of a wind farm, before there is nowhere left.
Someone else has already pointed out that the film industry won’t be able to use Scotland for making historical films due to the proliferation of wind turbines.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
How did you manage to drag wind turbines into this particular discussion Lowry? Have you considered that you are perhaps just a teensy bit obsessed?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Some validity though, film locations shown through worldwide films can provide a long term promotional sustainable option. What might Argyll and The Isles strategy for attracting film companies, developing media relationships and raising the profile of Argyll on the UK and international stage? I’ve had my 7th prime time television media enquiry today and played a part in organising hospitality and media schedules for such things and the Hairy Bikers previously so Argyll has potential in the right hands.
Why did they go to so much trouble at Loch Awe, Cruachan to put a power station in the mountain yet everywhere else is subject to masses of visible wind turbines? An interesting paradox, as important as renewables are, it would be interesting to see how Argyll and The Isles intends to manage and preserve areas of natural beauty in favour of sustaining tourism, if we are all truly welcome to have an input as the newsroom keeps stating then groups representing both sides of the renewables argument should also be welcomed into tourism development and protection, and the Argyll And The Isles group should be delivering recommendations to the council, enterprise organisations and more based on its membership scope and report evaluations.
Shouldnt argyllandtheisles.com be a corporate and public reporting website with business insights, questions and answers, details of whats being worked on, details of tenders awarded, details of actions, market research, measurable targets met, feedback from sector businesses that have been helped, with tourism websites the responsibility of well placed businesses?
Does no one have concerns about the limitations and applications of whats being delivered? Can anyone commit time and energy to creating something a little more transparent and tangeable?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Um – I think Nick mentioned windfarm first. All I was saying is that dependence on one major industry, e.g. windfarms could be detrimental in the long run as such investment may not provide the jobs that folk have been led to believe it will and could be detrimental to other businesses e.g. tourism & film industry.
Argyll and surrounding areas have so much to offer so many. Yes, we need to expand and develop sustainable businesses – that is already happening e.g. kyacking, B&B, museums and othere arts. The annual Art Map and similar events prove this. However, one major industrial investment could damage the lot.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Im not sure renewable energy should be the focus of the post, but agree it should be strategised within the confines of Argyll & The Isles group? At the moment i dont see much in the way of sustainable employment, those that are seem to be taken up by people who cant help themselves and have four jobs! With all the holiday homes in Argyll that remain uninhabited for large parts of the year also doesnt help with supporting local retail and schools, i dont think people in Argyll understand the precarious downward spiral that awaits, not to mention driving away people with skills, potential, time to invest, weve seen the Lakes on TV, weve seen the Dales, now Cornwall is having a weekly show… A missed opportunity for Argyll by those at the ‘sharp end’ of delivering Argylls innovative tourism drive, where the programme with Ally McCoist going around Argyll playing golf, eating, drinking and giving an Argyll exposure, after all his family are from Argyll, were lagging behind and we really need to wake up and realise if we are not first to the finishing post the prize for second is not a very big one!!!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
you have some great ideas Nick very forward thinking and seem to know your stuff,had a wee nosey round “”your empire”" and was astonished at the portfolio of websites that you have and the work that must have went into creating them your web presence puts argyll and the isles shoddy and out of date(mid argyll show2010 scottish series 2011 crinan classic not on this year brenfield horse riding is closed infact mid argyll has only 2 events listed and both out of date ) little website to shame.I presume you have created all of this without any funding?The question I am now asking myself is why you were not invited to the big summit at Portavadie?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I realise that the majority of people who are on here have businesses and the last thing they need is to be distracted by conspiracy theories.
I have apologised so many times for people not getting personaly invited to the Portavadie summit, for not hearing about it or not getting a specific invitation, I am seriously considering tatooing next years invite on my not inconsiderable ass and running round Argyll and The Isles for charity.
The truth is, apart from the hundreds of invites we emailed out, we put open invitations in the Oban Times, ForArgyll, Visit Scotland, and yes the Argyll Advertiser.We also invited all the members of the marketing associations.
We have not, and will never exclude any person or business who wants to get involved for the good of our region.
I am genuinely sorry that Nick did not get to attend Portavdie.
I am familiar with his work and what it does to promote our area. The fact that Nick uses the tagline “Argyll and The Isles” is testament to the growth of the brand.
The framework for the new website and the PR work which we are starting to undertake will include inviting Celebs, Journalists and tourism buyers to take “the Journey” round Argyll and the Isles.
For those of you who missed being at Portavadie, please come and visit the Argyll and The Isles superstand at the international expo at Ingliston on April 25th and 26th. There, for the first time, Argyll and The Isles tourism groups are represented along side Argyll companies, to promote our area to international buyers from Japan, Korea, China and Russia, to name but a few. These countries are the fastest growing consumers of overseas holidays in the world.
Yours Aye
Mike Story
AISTP
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Mike, thank you for taking the time to contribute to the discussion.
The first thing that we need to address then is a direct mailing system to deliver regular information and insights to Argylls groups by region and category, secondly to provide centralised tools to allow professional contribution, certainly there should be an invitation for comments on strategies outside directors and marketing groups.
Secondly TALK is a dynamic organisation that can offer a level of integration with Argyll & The Isles, but also work independently to deliver strategies external to the overall strategy, it is also sustainable without third sector grants in the long term. I would like to enter communication how we can work together and independently, fairness of representation is paramount.
Thirdly, Argyll and the Isles is not a new concept and has been used in talk and print for dozens of years, i have used the name as a practical exercise to show that with little more than £50 and professional local services i can create a website that will compete in Google search without any external marketing or cost, i expect it to achieve top 5 position within 3 to 6 months, compared against how much money and time has been spent on the actual official website.
Fourthly, as a result of investing into a working proactive marketing setup, with restricted access to grant funds and the current lack of embracing local businesses it is both impractical and financially restricting to attend the show mentioned, something perhaps that should be expensed and invitational.
Fifth, if youre familiar with my work and experience and stated that it makes a good contribution, it does, then i would suggest that this contribution is embraced because isolating businesses and not allowing them the same opportunities to grant funding in favour of new inititiatives that compete unnecessarily is not at all acceptable, Argyll & The Isles is actually in my opinion further removing funding away from existing products, we only haveto look at the poor performance of the Heart Of Argyll as evidence of misdirected funds.
Our major problem Mike is this wheel reinvention, this removal of accessible funds and opportunities to individuals, this lack of incentive to buy local, this lack of incentive to support something that is not being good to us in return, people here have given everything theyve got but still asked for more, it cannot continue in this way anymore.
I would like to propose, and if webcraft will second that a new web developer consortium is created with a view to working together in Argyll to be used to deliver local websites for local businesses and organisations that all enterprises, council and public groups are encouraged to use, once that is sustained i believe we can move on to much more sustainable and valuable contributions.
One element that should be addressed in Argyll is also pricepoint, which i believe is high incomparison to developing countries such as Brazil, which may negate marketing of a middle class brand.
Please contact me via Argyll.org, lets see how we can tie everything together and ensure that I and others can have a recognised input at any time.
Best,
Nick.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
…and I am still waiting to read newsrooms report on the LEAF meeting. No pressure newsroom, but time is marching on and we may all forget about it soon.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Does anyone know who the prat in the silly mustard jacket is, who is talking at this minute on Scottish tourism – and seems to be talking FOR Scottish tourism – on STV’s Scotland Tonight. (22.42 12th April)
Steven / Stephen someone (?) talking totally vacuous nonsense.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I thought that was our very own Slimey without his beard (grin)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
never saw it – was it Stephen Leckie – Chair of Scottish Tourism Assoc?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
On the contrary there have been numerous comments from people not being able to access sites of interest, and certainly can confirm even a local tourism trail member decided to do lunch at another members establishment at a reasonable time and it was closed, some food based businesses in tarbert actually close for the duration of winter.. Id love to see Argyll & The Isles generate off season tourism trade, now thats mission impossible.
Still no adequate response to my post, how incredibly disappointing, the tourist season will be over soon so do hurry
Like or Dislike:
0 
0