The Scottish Government has announced a £14m hotel recovery programme, which is aimed to secure 3000 jobs in the tourism sector.
Finance secretary Kate Forbes confirmed the details of the scheme at the daily briefing on Wednesday, including its focus on protecting larger hotels.
She said the scheme, consisting of £9m revenue and £5m capital, will help “keep staff in work until the new tourist season starts in 2021.”
It will be open for expressions of interest at the end of August. Eligible businesses can apply for individual grants of up to £250,000.
Speaking about the contribution of the tourism industry to Scotland’s economy, Forbes said: “The most significant element of today’s announcement includes a £14m hotel recovery programme, which will help to secure up to 3000 jobs in the sector.
“This programme will be managed by our enterprise agencies and Visit Scotland. It is comprised of £9m of revenue and £5m of capital.
“Its core purpose will be to protect larger hotels, which have been badly impacted by the events of the recent months.
“It will also help to keep staff in work until the new tourist season starts in 2021.
“This is also about looking forward and successful applicants will be offered wraparound support to help strengthen their companies for the future.
“We expect the fund to be open for expressions of interest by the end of August.”
The programme will be managed by enterprise agencies and Visit Scotland.
VisitScotland will also deliver £1m in grants to self-catering businesses that have not received any other Scottish Government Covid-19 support.
Businesses that apply and meet the criteria will be eligible for a one-off £10,000 grant to support them through the winter season.
It follows a £4m investment made for independent museums and galleries, as well as £10m of support for the events sector.
Forbes said the funds “recognise the challenges facing specific sectors”.
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