Why should a community operate a Tourism Business?

What is Community Tourism? I will use the definition used by Scottish Community Tourism (SCOTO), of which I am a director.
“Community Tourism is where a community is directly involved in managing the tourism offer in the area and ensures tourism delivers tangible benefits locally.”
Why should a community operate a Tourism Business?
Three key reasons
Take Control
Tourism should never be imposed on a locality, a practice that occurs all too often. Equally, services should only be removed from a community with a consultation. These issues demand our attention and concern.
A recent example is the closing of the VisitScotland Information Centres, with the final 25 closing by 2026. But did you know there are far more community tourism information centres across Scotland? These information centres either run seasonally or all year round. They offer visitors a genuine welcome with local knowledge and sell local retail, benefiting craft workers.
I could use many examples, but I will use Barra. They sell local crafts, goods, and food and are also a community venue. But they will shut and open up again if the ferry is late. When we visited last summer, the ferry was late after some wild weather. However, we were met by a friendly face when we entered Buth Bharraigh and bought our tea for the evening. https://www.buthbharraigh.co.uk/visitor-information.
Their official centre was closed in 2017, and for them, now and then, it was an essential visitor service. But they took control, and arguably, what they now offer is far superior to what was before.

Castlebay Barra Andrew Drane
Tourism Giving Back to Communities
A tourism business can give communities resources to give back to the community, benefiting community projects, local clubs, and societies.
Findhorn is a good example. They had an issue with motorhome parking as there was no suitable place for them. So, they built parking for them, which they charge for. The income allows the community to benefit while giving a great welcome to visitors.
https://www.findhornparking.com/
Solves a problem.
Closing public toilets is an issue in communities across Scotland, causing grief for the community and visitors. Visitors can complain bitterly about this and not revisit a locality, even when it is not the community’s fault.
Communities develop various solutions, including local cafes, to use their facilities. But the most popular is for the community to take over the toilets.
Again, there are some great examples, and I am always grateful to the communities of Arran who offer these facilities and clean their toilets. However, while working on a project with SCOTO recently, I came across the Cumbrae Loo Trail. Being brought up in Glasgow, cycling around Cumbrae was a favourite day trip. But it can be tricky if there are no toilet facilities as you cycle around the island. When North Ayrshire Council had to shut their toilets, the Cumbrae Community Council took them over. Solved an issue for visitors and locals and improved the offering, too.
https://www.scoto.co.uk/media/sxtea55k/cumbrae-loo-trail-case-studies-2024-aria.pdf
In a challenging world, it is easy to feel that life is imposed on us and communities have no say. However, as a glass-half-full person, I discovered that community tourism families are the opposite of that. They are making their destination a better place to visit with a genuine local welcome, putting money back into the local community, and solving problems for locals and visitors alike. SCOTO is creating a community of forward-thinking communities across Scotland, and I am honoured to be part of the journey.
https://www.scoto.co.uk/

Crocodile Rock Millport Andrew Drane