Robbie Bremner, managing director of the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre, believes the status would be the catalyst for an all-year tourism industry to be firmly established in the area.

His optimistic views came in the wake of a visit to the area this week by United Nations consultant Chris Pound, who has completed an initial report on the area's bid to be included on the UK Government's shortlist of nominations in 2012.

UNESCO — the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation — oversees which countries and landmarks are granted status.

Although Mr Pound was "very confident" the bid would find favour with politicians, he concluded Nessie's worldwide appeal did not meet any of the status criteria.

He believes the area's geology and topography, the loch's deepness, the landscape and engineering behind the Caledonian Canal are factors which will aid the push by Destination Loch Ness (DLN), a not-for-profit group of businesses in the area, to achieve the prestigious award.

The Government's department of media, culture and sport (DMCS) will make the nominations in four years' time.

"It's an issue which is going to have to be managed carefully," said Mr Pound. "The subject of Nessie is world famous but has never been taken quite seriously. When I spoke to a woman in the DMCS about the report I was doing for the area she fell about laughing. A lot of the people have heard of this beastie and it's an image presentation issue which has to be addressed."

But despite his comments, Mr Bremner said World Heritage status could give the region a winter boost.

"We stay open during the winter and keep our staff on," he said. "But overheads are high in the winter to pay them when it's quieter. We don't want this area to be a summer destination. Visitor businesses should be open during the winter, particularly the larger attractions, and if we got World Heritage status we would hopefully double our visitors because it is more recognised outwith the UK."

According to research commissioned by DLN, securing the status could generate an extra £7.8 million annually and create 300 full-time jobs in three years.

Tourism consultant Professor Terry Stevens, of the Stevens View Partnership, which has pledged £25,000 worth of sponsorship for the bid, said Loch Ness and the Great Glen were currently under-performing economically.

"At the moment visitors to the area are spending two-thirds of what they are putting into the rest of the Highlands," he said. "That is because of a lack of tourist facilities and the poor infrastructure. It is an embarrassment frankly. The road around the loch is dangerous and visitors are not encouraged to stop. If they do park at lay-bys they can't even see the loch because of trees. In Stavanger, Norway, the lay-bys are tourist attractions with viewpoints to look at the fjords."

* The event came on the 75th anniversary of the first media reports of the Loch Ness Monster which were published in The Inverness Courier.

h.ross@inverness-courier.co.uk 

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---