Following a visit to Nevis Range Mountain Experience earlier this week, Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has hailed the resilience of the Lochaber attraction in the face of COVID-19 challenges.
Mr Halcro Johnston, who is also Shadow Minister for Business and Tourism, as well as a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Economy Committee, strongly welcomed the news of new investment in the site.
However, he warned that pressures such as a lack of available housing were impacting on rural businesses and more needed to be done to ensure suitable accommodation was available.
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said:
“It’s been a challenging year for rural businesses, with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on travel and trade still lingering. I was delighted to see for myself that Nevis Range Mountain Experience have managed to get back to business with record visitor numbers this summer, and are looking to make further investment in their business."
“Growing sustainable all-year tourism is vital to Lochaber’s economy, and the Nevis Range’s plans can provide a major boost to the local area. However, I know there are issues many local businesses are facing in recruiting and retaining staff, not made any easier by the ongoing issue of a real lack of available or affordable rural housing locally, something I have raised with the Scottish Government previously,"
“If we want people to live and work locally, we have to make sure the homes are available for them to do so”.
