The human touch: Why Scotland should keep its visitor information centres open

Mysterious stone circles by pexels (CC0) via Pixabay. Flag of Scotland by jorono (CC0) via Pixabay. “GT” added the words “iCENTRE no more”.

VisitScotland’s plan to close its visitor information centres (‘iCentres’) misses the mark, according to Alastair Naughton who pens his fourth “Good Tourism” Insight.

[You too can write a “GT” Insight.]

VisitScotland’s proposal to close all its iCentres by 2026 is a misguided strategy that fails to recognise the diverse needs of tourists.

While it is true that many travellers plan their trips online, an online-only approach to providing information overlooks several crucial factors:

• ‘One size fits all’ never works
• The digital divide
• The value of local knowledge
• Spontaneity in travel
• The human element
• Retail values multiple touchpoints
• VisitScotland’s ‘collaboration’ strategy
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