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                  Tourism

                  Tourism became a public function with the Development of Tourism Act 1969 which set up the British Tourist Authority and tourist boards for Scotland, England and Wales, with powers to give financial assistance to hotels and tourist facilities and to establish registration and grading of hotels and accommodation.[1] Tourism became a local authority function when the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 enabled local authorities to encourage visitors to their area for recreation, health, conferences, trade fairs or exhibitions and attract people to set up conferences, trade fairs or exhibitions[2]. The Local Government and Planning (Scotland) Act 1982 limited that function to district and islands councils and enabled tourism schemes in consultation with the Scottish Tourist Board. By 1984, when the Scottish Tourist Board was permitted to advertise in other countries, the Scottish Tourist Board had set up 32 area tourist boards.[3] However, some districts did not participate in this network.

                  In 1994 the relationship of area tourist boards to local authorities was re-defined.[4] The Secretary of State for Scotland was required to set up area tourist boards. The new unitary authorities were empowered to participate in these area tourist boards and to set up, improve or support conference facilities. However, they were not permitted to carry out tourism promotion activities without the consent of the Secretary of State for Scotland.

                  The Tourist Board (Scotland) Act 2006 changed the name of the Scottish Tourist Board to VisitScotland, abolished area tourist boards and transferred all assets to what became VisitScotland.[5]

                  Compiler: Elspeth Reid (2021)

                  Bibliography

                  Ferguson, Keith, An introduction to local government in Scotland (Glasgow: The Planning Exchange, 1984)

                   

                  References

                  [1] Development of Tourism Act 1969 (c.51).

                  [2] Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (c.65) s.90.

                  [3] Tourism (Overseas Promotion) (Scotland) Act 1984 (c.4).

                  [4] Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994 (c.39) s.172.

                  [5] Tourist Board (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 15).