PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE USE FROM ARGYLL AND THE ISLES TOURISM COOPERATIVE
Kintyre Powers Up for the Season Ahead
After a week of unprecedented weather Kintyre tourism businesses are powering up for an exciting season ahead. With some of Scotland’s best golf, beaches and heritage on offer and major investment in tourism in recent years, the area is powered up and set to move up a gear in the coming months.
Peter Stogdale, Director of both Explore Kintyre and Argyll and The Isles Tourism Cooperative said: “It’s been a bizarre week here in Kintyre but we’ve had the opportunity to open even more people’s eyes to the wonders that Kintyre has to offer.
“We have had engineers staying in our local hotels who have never been to the area before – and the resounding comment we have heard is ‘we’ll be back!’. That’s for a round of golf, to visit Southend and experience the wonderful Machrihanish surf - they’ve realised there’s a lot on offer here!”
Mike Story, Executive Director of Argyll and the Isles Tourism Cooperative commented: “Only a couple of weeks ago we had the Argyll and the Isles tourism summit on Bute in the finest possible weather and the spirit of partnership came to the fore. Last week the weather played a different game but again the spirit of partnership was at the fore, with an outstanding service provided by partners such as CalMac, Argyll and Bute Council and SSE.
“This spirit has helped Kintyre to throw off its winter coat and open its arms to visitors in readiness for Easter. Argyll and the Isles is open for business”
Peter further added: "The community spirit that has been witnessed across Kintyre over the past week has been incredible. It’s been a true team effort and on behalf of everyone within Kintyre I’d like to thank each and every person involved for helping us through this week – local folk, volunteers, the emergency services, Argyll and Bute Council and all the contractors who have been 100 per cent focused on getting life back to normal.”
Niall Macallister Hall at Torrisdale Castle near Carradale in Kintyre said: “We have ridden the storm and have come out the other side, ready for Easter! The cottages are each defrosted and the outdoor Eco hot tub is sitting, waiting for some extra use in this unseasonably cold weather.”
Kintyre looks forward to welcoming visitors over the Easter weekend and beyond. This last week has seen some hotels and bed and breakfasts around Campbeltown full with over 250 engineers drafted in to fix the power failure that affected both Kintyre and Arran. Many of the engineers are still there so if you are planning a trip over the Easter weekend – typically one of the area’s busiest weekends in the year – do phone ahead to check availability.
For local visitor information please visit the recently launched websites at
http://www.exploreargyll.co.uk http://www.exploreKintyre.co.uk
Contact: Mike Story, Executive Director, AITC, mike@mikestoryconsultancy.co.uk , mobile 079501260076
Carron Tobin, Project Manager, AITC, carrontobin@ruraldimensions.com