On Monday the Scottish Tourism Leadership Programme was launched as one of the Scottish Government’s strands of the Tourism Taskforce Recovery Plan.

Scottish Enterprise are leading the programme delivery together with HIE, South of Scotland Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland, it will offer a range of opportunities to up to 300 individuals to develop personal skills and expertise, to gain insight from fellow participants and subject specialists, and to become part of a growing network of people working together to develop innovative tourism opportunities.

The first programmes opening for competitive application now are Introduction to Tourism Leadership which starts in August, and Communities Leading in Tourism which begins at the end of September. An additional more in-depth, six-month Tourism Leadership Course is coming soon. All courses are available online, with details available at https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/. Just search the course title you are interested in. Individuals from tourism businesses and organisations based anywhere in Scotland can apply for a funded place.

Introduction to Tourism Leadership is led by Scottish Enterprise. It is a three-day workshop, the sessions are delivered by Edinburgh Napier University and are focused on gaining the leadership skills, knowledge and networks required for an individual to successfully lead within their own business, community and wider destination. There are eight cohorts planned – each for a maximum of 30 enterprises.

Applications can be made via Edinburgh Napier’s website - www.napier.ac.uk/study-with-us/short-courses/scottish-tourism-leadership-development-programme.

Communities Leading in Tourism which is an online personal development programme led by us and delivered by the Social Enterprise Academy. Up to 30 places are available to individuals from community-led tourism development organisations based anywhere in Scotland.

More information is available at www.hie.co.uk/communitiesleadingintourism.

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Join a community of business owners and operators who share your ambition to make your businesses more profitable, successful and innovative as we seek to maximise opportunities in the growing tourism sector in Shetland.