 Fy l셔서, besiwch. We'll turn now to portfolio questions on culture, tourism and external affairs. Question 1 from Liam Kerr. Task the Scottish Government what consultations it has had with tourism businesses in the north-east regarding factors that can impact on the effectiveness of their operation. Cabinet Secretary ofental Health, Fiona Hyslop. First of all, I wish you and all the chamber a happy marches day. Long live at Llyithgo and Long live The Marches. The Scottish Government recognises the growing importance of tourism to the north-east economy and is committed to its sustainable development. In March, I had the pleasure of visiting Aberdeen and giving the keynote address at Visit Aberdeenshire's conference at which I met and heard first hand from key individuals in the industry, not only about the issues that they face but the areas wider ambition. We will, of course, continue to engage with all stakeholders, including those in the tourism sector, in the delivery of our policies and functions. Liam Kerr, I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. Recently, Charles Skeen, the founder of the Skeen group and one of the key individuals in the industry, warned of the devastating impact the SNP's approach to business rates is having on his and other hospitality businesses in the north-east. Has the Scottish Government considered the effect of those rates policies on the north-east tourism economy and if so, what are they proposed to do about it? The poundage will be set at £49 in Scotland in 2019-20. That is lower than an inflation increase. It will ensure that more than 90 per cent of properties in Scotland will pay a lower poundage than they would in other parts of the UK next year. We will also continue in 2020 to offer the most generous package of relief in the UK, worth more than £750 million. We will maintain the unique business growth accelerator, which encourages new business investment by temporarily suspending rates liabilities on new builds and non-domestic property improvements. Of course, we continue to apply transitional relief for all but the very largest hospitality industry sector in Aberdeen city and Shire to 2022. That means a 12.5 per cent real-terms annual cap. That is confirmation that we value the hospitality sector across Scotland, but, particularly in the area that it represents, not only is there the general competitiveness in business rates, we have additional support for the tourism sector in Aberdeen. There may be some in terms of the higher-range, higher-end hospitality sector that may have their own issues, but I tell you that the vast majority of tourism and hospitality businesses in the north-east welcome those measures. Question 2 Angus MacDonald To ask the Scottish Government what the percentage change in foreign visitor numbers at Historic Environment Scotland sites has been since 2014. Fiona Hyslop Historic Environment Scotland's general visitor numbers have been steadily increasing since 2014. Overseas visitors to sites and care have increased by an estimated 41 per cent in five years. This figure, based on visitor sampling across the estate, clearly indicates the growth of the organisation's international market in recent years. The reduction in the value of the pound since 2016 and the expansion of passenger numbers through Edinburgh are two driving forces behind it. Historic Environment Scotland seeks to maintain the increase by working with partners, communities and stakeholders to develop a strategic vision and plans for prioritised sites. Angus MacDonald I welcome the increased figures at Historic Sites, which are clearly a welcome boost to our economy, particularly locally, where a number of historic sites have benefited from being film locations for US-financed dramas such as Outlander. The cabinet secretary will be aware, however, of an increase of foreign visitors in both her and my constituency visiting film locations at points of historic interest, which have resulted in an increased traffic on our local roads. Is the cabinet secretary aware of any plans that Historic Environment Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland have to erect keep left signs at exits to their properties, similar to those located at seaports, airports and other tourist routes, to act as a reminder to foreign drivers who may be unfamiliar with driving in Scotland and the wider UK? Fiona Hyslop Of course, the National Trust for Scotland is independent of the Scottish Government. I am aware of the issue and, in my constituency capacity, have contacted Historic Environment Scotland about local issues. Transport Scotland is not aware of any plans generally to keep left signs at any of properties. Of course, if anything was placed on public roads, that would require consultation with the road authorities before erection. However, you may be aware that Police Scotland and Road Safety Scotland yesterday launched a new campaign at Urquodd Castle to remind tourists to drive on the left. The campaign coincides with the peak tourism season in Scotland and encourages visitors to enjoy Scottish roads safely. The new driving in Scotland tourist information leaflet will be distributed when picking up a higher car and an electronic version will be issued at the time of booking. In addition to that, drive on the left wristbands in multiple languages, to be worn on the left hand of drivers, will be distributed via car rental companies to remind and prompt visitors to keep left. supplementary from Claire Baker Thank you. While it is good news that Historic Environment Scotland has seen a 5 per cent increase in visitors numbers in the past year, we have seen areas like Blackness in particular seen a 36 per cent increase. That will add to the infrastructure and maintenance costs at site. Over the past two years, Historic Environment Scotland has seen a 12 per cent cut in their budget. While increased revenue is important, it does not compensate for that reduction. What discussions is the cabinet secretary having with the heritage sector over the ability to meet visitor demand, including improved accessibility? Fiona Hyslop As we speak, the eastern borders of Llanthgow are being inspected at Blackness, which is the port for the town. Blackness is one of the examples where outlander numbers have seen a major increase in visitors. I was in Doon Castle last week, which also doubles as Castle Leach in the Outlander series, where I announced the latest funding for our rural tourism infrastructure fund precisely to ensure that there is added investment. Doon Village will be connected better to the castle so that it can benefit from the increasing numbers. Increasing pressures of numbers means that, across the country, working with local communities, we are ensuring that those infrastructure items—whether it is car parking, facilities, signage or paths—can help to pressure areas. We are very conscious of that. In relation to Historic Environment Scotland, the overall spend has been maintained partly because they have had an increase in visitor numbers and, indeed, the generation of their external funding has increased. We are very conscious of that. I stress that this is very important. At the time of difficult financial pressures, we have managed to maintain the grant funding that Historic Environment Scotland gives to others and, in terms of their own investment, they have been able to maintain their investment precisely because the increase in number is complemented by the investment by the Scottish Government. In particular, the Scottish Government, for the first time in recent years, has provided capital investment to Historic Environment Scotland specifically to help with their infrastructure needs, so that has been very much welcomed by the Historic Environment Scotland board. To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any action being taken to ensure that Edinburgh festivals do not experience the same difficulties as last year regarding the complex visa rules that are faced by some artists. Fiona Hyslop. I was very pleased to close the member's debate at the end of last month on this important topic of visa issues for festivals. For the benefit of those who were not in the chamber that day, I have written to the Home Secretary as well as other ministers inviting their attendance at an international festivals visa summit here in Edinburgh. I have reiterated that a better solution for visiting artists, performers and others must be integral to any future immigration system. The UK Government's current visa application process for visitors coming to Scotland for our festivals is lengthy, complex and has a catalogue of examples of poor decision making. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring Scotland's voice and that our internationally renowned festivals is heard in the discussion on the future immigration system. Gordon MacDonald. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer and for her own efforts to address this problem. Clearly, this is an issue that needs to be addressed long term. However, would the cabinet secretary join me in calling on the UK Government to make the visa process more transparent for this year's festivals and allow festival organisers a chance to put any errors or omissions right before receiving a visa refusal? Fiona Hyslop. I do indeed, and that is something that we have reminded the Home Office that they need to address for this year, not just for future years. Of course, we will have heard and the member will have heard of the real concern of two Indian artists who have come as part of a UK-India cultural exchange programme that is set up by the UK Government funding from the British Council, Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government, Paragon Music and Dance Charity, who promote Scottish inclusive music and dance, were involved in this particular programme. What is going is that their non-disabled colleagues who were travelling with them to support them from the Charitable Foundation in Shanae to Glasgow were granted entry without any trouble, but those two young artists were not. It is an issue that we are looking into and asking the Home Office to look into. However, as of now and as of this weekend, we continue to see the issues that are facing cultural artists wanting to come and perform. They should be made welcome. We should celebrate our international musical connections, and the Home Office really has to ensure that this year it has special attention to those issues. I am aware that we are well over halfway through time-wise, but not question-wise, so if we could be a bit sharper please. To ask the Scottish Government when it last met remembering Srebrenica Scotland and what was discussed. There are regular discussions with remembering Srebrenica Scotland on all matters of interest. Most recently, we discussed how ministers could participate in their lessons from delegations and I understand that Ms Todd, the Minister for Children and Young People, attended earlier this month. Additionally, the First Minister also visited Srebrenica in 2016 and described it as an incredibly powerful experience. The Scottish Government recognises the importance of learning from what happened so that the mistakes of the past are not repeated. Last week, I was in Sarajevo. In 1984, it hosted the Olympics and was seen as a multi-ethnic, multi-faith city. By 1992, it was a city under siege, and in the four years that followed, 160,000 people lost their lives. In those times of rising division and prejudice, can the cabinet secretary set out how we are learning those lessons in our classrooms and communities across the country? Best put by Rashadah, a survivor, who said that we must not just live next to each other but live with each other. We must stop the us versus them and the othering, and we must speak out against prejudice no matter whenever or wherever it takes place. I followed the member's contribution to his visit with interest. I think that the messages of how rapid a community and society can move and descend into heat is something that we must all learn from. I know that other colleagues are pursuing the issues in relation to classrooms and communities, but what I can say in relation to trying to address those issues of bringing people together that it is not a case of us or them is precisely the message that we have put into our We Are Scotland campaign in social media to make sure that we as a Government stand up firm because standing up firm and showing leadership at this time is so important. This society that we live in and the society that has been fermented by some of the far right in this country should always need us to be vigilant. That means tackling issues out front rather than when they happen that, as we have seen in other countries, those issues can descend very quickly. That is something that we should definitely guard against. To ask the Scottish Government how it will support the tourism industry in championing the sector as a career destination of choice. The Scottish Government has committed to promoting tourism as a career of choice and has set aside £100,000 to develop a campaign to support to that commitment. The campaign will build on the existing tourism skills investment plan, led by Skills Development Scotland, that aims to address existing and future skills challenges across the sector, particularly those that will arise as a result of EU exit. The Scottish Government has also engaged with the poverty alliance with the aim of increasing the payment of the living wage and fair work practices within the sector to support the same. Tom Mason. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. A vital part of encouraging people to work in the tourism is ensuring that people are studying the industry at further and higher education level. However, according to the Scottish funding council during 2017 and 2018 at the North East Scotland college, 2,648 people were enrolled in health studies courses, 748 during hair or personal care and only 178 studying tourism. Will the cabinet secretary not agree that we need more people taking on tourism courses and what does she plan to do to make it happen? Precisely why we are having a campaign to promote tourism as a career of choice. We have a reducing number of young people, as he might be aware, so we have to encourage people of all ages into the tourism sector. Of course, they are in competition with the health sector amongst others, so it is more important than ever that we embark on such a campaign and have champions showing that tourism can be a very successful career choice. People can go very far, very young, and that should be very attractive to that market. Short supplementary please, Stuart McMillan. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Can the cabinet secretary tell me how the tourism sector will be affected as a result of Brexit and visa restrictions? Fiona Hyslop is severely restricted. Obviously, six of our 10 key markets are in the EU, and 12 per cent of our workforce are EU nationals. It is essential that we retain those that are with us already and remark on how important they are to our society and our economy, but also the future pipeline of EU nationals that are required. The current UK immigration white paper, which I sincerely hope is withdrawn and rewritten, has a £30,000 salary cap, and that will cause severe issues and difficulties for recruitment into the sector in the future. Before I call Mr Rennie, we are not going to get to the end of those questions, and that is a mark of people giving statements, as well as questions and rather long answers to. Question number six, Willie Rennie. To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstraver. The Scottish Government continues to provide support to the Scottish Fisheries Museum in the current financial year. A total of £109,000 has been allocated to the museum, covering £75,000 for operational costs and £34,000 for capital expenditure. In 2018-19, the museum received additional in-year funding of £75,000 and a further £330,000 to assist in the refit of the museum flagship. The museum flagship reaper has had investment as a total from the Scottish Government for £830,000. The Scottish Fisheries Museum celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and I look forward to joining the celebrations that begin on 4 July when the reaper returns to its home port of Anstraver. Willie Rennie. I declare an interest as a trustee of the museum. The secretary is right about the 50 years of this national museum and they are grateful for the support that the Scottish Government has provided not just to the museum over that time but also to the reaper and the special events, including a flotilla of up to 50 boats in early July, will mark a special occasion. Can the minister perhaps set out what further opportunities there would be to make sure that the museum engages in the wider community right across Scotland to make sure that those communities engage with our seas and the fishing industry? Fiona Hyslop. I think that the member is quite right to advertise this fantastic celebration and I hope that everybody can take part in that. However, we have to do more. Indeed, only yesterday at the Scottish Historic Environment Forum, we had a session on industrial heritage and particularly how we can engage more people in sites in museums like that of the Fisheries Museum to ensure that people understand our very rich heritage, not just in the places of Fife, for example, but further afield. 7. Bill Bowman. To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it plans of the impacts on tourist numbers in Tayside. Fiona Hyslop. I was very pleased to speak at the Dundee and Angus tourism conference in March last year, bringing together the areas of tourism interests and bodies with a focus on the wider tourism opportunities. We understand from figures supplied by the Moffitt Centre that visitor numbers in the Dundee and Angus area have increased by 13.3 per cent for the first quarter of this year, compared with last. The V&A has a wider impact to support visitor numbers elsewhere. Scotland is supporting both businesses and local authorities in the Tayside area to develop a regional tourism strategy. Bill Bowman. I thank the cabinet secretary for that response. Tayside has international attractions such as the V&A, but it does not have international air connections from Dundee airport. Will the Scottish Government, given that it has poured millions of pounds into Prestwick airport but has not matched this in Dundee, commit to investing in Dundee airport to bring international tourists to the heart of Tayside? Fiona Hyslop. I am not the transport secretary, but he is correct in identifying the importance of bringing direct flights in from wherever they come. There is also some creative work that has been done for some airports in particular in doing so. Obviously, that is something that, as the tourism secretary, I would support. I cannot give him any plans to date, but, if there are any that I can contribute from other colleagues, we can communicate with you on that regard. Very quickly, Kenneth Gibson. Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with devising and implementing the co-eag tourism trail. Fiona Hyslop. I announce £300,000 from the Scottish Government to support co-eag feasibility work. That has enabled the establishment of a partnership steering group with the industry in North Ayrshire Council. We are also providing North Ayrshire Council with a further £400,000 for 2020 to progress the project. Extremely quickly, please, Mr Gibson. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer and the financial support. The co-eag, the ffives expected to attract an additional 80,000 visits to North Ayrshire next year, supporting 168 jobs and allowing £4.5 million extra of economic impact. Can the cabinet secretary expand on how the timescales for devising and implementation of the co-eag tie in with the 2020 being the year of Scotland's coast and waters? Fiona Hyslop. The Ayrshire tourism action plan goes from 2018 to 2022. It is called Making Waves, but it is designated next year as the year of coast and waters. It is a fantastic opportunity to advertise the co-eag and to make sure that people visit Ayrshire to celebrate everything that it has to offer, maritime and otherwise. That was not bad. That concludes the portfolio questions. We will move on to the next item of business.