Cycling Tourism Facilities Fund
The Cycling Tourism Facilities Fund can offer up to £25,000 to support the development of cycling tourism facilities.
Supporting the tourism sector
With an average pre-covid visitor spend of £1.5bn in the region, 3,200 registered tourism businesses locally, and with tourism jobs representing up to 43% of the workforce in some areas of the Highlands and Islands, tourism is central to our way of life. It sustains many of our local, regional and island economies and communities.
Support for tourism businesses
Digital Tourism support
Free digital advice supporting tourism organisations based in the Highland Council area.
Fair work in tourism businesses
Guidance and support for employers and employees on fair work principles in tourism.
Innovation
Get support, funding and expert advice through HIE’s innovation business support programmes.
Browse all support services
We support businesses, communities and social enterprises through a range of support services, including advice, funding, events and property. Find out how we can help you.
Support for tourism - where to get help
We work in partnership with the Scottish Government, VisitScotland and other public sector agencies, local authorities, industry and communities across our region to support the tourism industry.
As well as the programmes we offer, you can also find a comprehensive overview of all Scotland-wide public sector support on the Find Business Support website.
VisitScotland also have information on funding and provide research and insights to support business recovery and growth.
You can also find support from the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), the membership body for Scottish tourism industry.
Manage the skills in your workforce in the Skills Development Scotland Employer Hub.
Latest tourism news from the Highlands and Islands
Supporting tourism in the Highlands and Islands
Published on 04/06/2024
5.4
funding approved for tourism projects
1/4
tourism projects delivered by social enterprises
43
tourism projects supported contributing to net zero targets
Meet some of our tourism enterprises
Businesses and community organisations are delivering a wide range of innovative projects across the region. Here are just a few of them.
Loch Ness Hub
Despite the COVID-19 lockdown the Community Interest Company Loch Ness Hub has renovated the disused Tourist Information Centre in Drumnadrochit. Offering expanded and green services it will be the area's new one stop shop for information, baggage transfer service, an e-bike facility and will sell local products.
Loch Ness Hub
Unst in Shetland
When tourism assets are owned and managed by communities themselves there can be huge benefits in community wealth building. Find out more about the range of community-led tourism work on the UK's most northerly island.
Visit Unst
Knockomie Inn
Gavin and Penny Ellis have run the Knockomie Inn in Moray for more than 25 years.
Here they share their experiences of the pandemic (recorded in 2020) and share ideas on safe re-opening.
Uig Hotel
Pre COVID Billy and Anne Harley embarked on an ambitious growth plan for their 18-bedroom Uig Hotel.
Find out more about their international marketing plan.
Technology and Heritage
We're supporting an EU North Sea Interreg project called CUPIDO. Tourism organisations are learning how digital technology can open up access to our unique history and heritage.
Find out about some of the projects using 3d, virtual reality, and more to bring their histories to life.
West Highland Community Tourism
To support COVID-19 recovery, HIE has invested £440,000 in 14 West Highland tourism facilities, from Gairloch to Kilchoan.
All run by the community, the attractions are investing in infrastructure to support the return of visitors.
See what they're doing in our feature.