Visits were down just 0.3% from 2009, with heavy snow fall and the continuing popularity of the staycation helping keep the country’s attractions busy.

The Moffat Centre Visitor Attraction Monitor 2010, which heard from more than 600 tourist sites, reports that Glenshee Ski Centre attracted 171% more skiers (125,831, up from 46,355 in 2009), while the Nevis Range hosted 16% more, and the Cairngorm Mountain Railway attracted 15% more passengers than in 2009).

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For more information about the Moffat Centre, call the Applied Knowledge Exchange on 0141 331 3189 or visit www.gcu.ac.uk/business

Mounting evidence of a boom year for tourism businesses in the face of the recession and fears over public spending cuts have triggered a campaign to boost the industry – and shield it from budget cuts.

Read the full story in The Scotsman. Here at Glasgow Caledonian University, our Moffat Centre for travel and tourism business development is home to experts working with industry and public sector organisations to advise and develop their tourism businesses.

For more information about our Moffat Centre’s work, click to see our case studies here.

He commended the sector’s robust response to challenges brought by the continued tough economic climate and recent disruptions to air travel.

Glasgow Caledonian University’s tourism experts in the Moffat Centre produces the Visitor Attraction Monitor, an annual report on the performance of Scotland’s visitor attractions, with analysis by geographic location and other key variables. The associated Visitor Attraction Barometer is a monthly review of attractions’ performance data. It provides a regular monitor of performance based on returns from visitor numbers provided by a representative sample of attractions. Find out more about our tourism expertise. At the Applied Knowledge Exchange, we can offer your business assistance in the tourism sector.

Mr Mather also highlighted VisitScotland’s recovery plan in support of tourism businesses that have lost bookings over the past week because of the Icelandic volcano.

The initiative will see tourism businesses offered free marketing and advertising opportunities on VisitScotland’s Perfect Day website, complemented by a £100,000 radio and press advertising promotion, to stimulate interest in Scotland and encourage visitors to take a ‘staycation’.

This will see eight members of MIT faculty upgrade their qualifications and allow for new teaching material and knowledge to filter into the institution. 

This is part of a long term commitment to upgrade and develop MIT that is being undertaken by the Moffat Centre with the financial support of the Scottish Government. Grant assistance for two projects was awarded to the Moffat Centre which has incorporated the construction and development of information communications technology teaching facilities, library building and related learning resources, the development of food service and food production facilities and the development of short course training programmes for the Malawian tourism industry.

The Applied Knowledge Exchange can also facilitate short course training or bespoke educational packages for your business.

The interview will be included in Landward on BBC Two Scotland at 7pm on the 11th December 2009.

Professor Lennon was asked to provide his views due to the Moffat Centre’s expertise on tourism as an economic driver for Scotland.

In this episode of Landward, former Deacon Blue drummer-turned-TV presenter Dougie Vipond travels to Loch Rannoch to hear about plans for the multi-millionaires’ playground on the Dall Estate.

Dougie also speaks to opponents of the development who fear it will destroy the natural beauty of the area. The project has caused great debate in Scotland and groups including The Woodland Trust and the RSPB have objected to the development.

The Moffat Centre has carried out travel and tourism projects internationally and works with a variety of stakeholders, from public to private sector, and from multinationals to SMEs. The Centre can help clients with training, marketing, feasibility studies, strategy and business development.

The Moffat Centre is just one of Glasgow Caledonian University’s Centres of Expertise which can help unlock the potential for your business via the Applied Knowledge Exchange.

Hannah Norman, owner of Room With a View Restaurant in Fife, won the Moffat Award for Outstanding Economic and Community Impact along with a £1500 cash prize.

Moffat Awards ceremony

Christine Macintosh, owner of Heb Hostel, a 4-star backpackers hostel located on the Isle of Lewis in The Hebrides won the Personal Growth and Development Award. The award for Excellent Customer Care went to Hattie Fry of Frontline Falconry at Auchen Castle Hotel, Dumfries. While offering flying demonsration and hawk walks, Hattie’s ambition is to extend their breeding programme to provide support for endangered species from around the world.

The awards, In association with The Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust, recognise outstanding young business talents that demonstrate best practice and excellent customer service. Winners also demonstrate a positive economic and community impact on the in the Scottish tourism sector.