Tourism in Ayrshire is set to benefit from a £300k funding boost.

Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, made the announcement at a Scottish Tourism Alliance event at West Kilbride’s Waterside Hotel.

Around 100 local businesses and other stakeholders from across the region gathered to hear about the plans for a new tourism initiative for Ayrshire, Firth of Clyde and Clyde Islands: ‘Five Routes – One Great Adventure’, as part of the latest funding commitment. Future funding will be made available to help boost tourism and the rural economy, covering North, East and South Ayrshire, Argyll and Bute, Renfrewshire, and Inverclyde.

Ms Hyslop said: “Today’s announcement is an exciting development for Ayrshire and the wider region. The opening of this stunning series of five ring routes will help showcase Ayrshire’s natural beauty and enhance the region’s tourism offer.

“These routes, and the co-operative working between the industry and local authorities, are an important development and will help Ayrshire develop as a destination showcasing to our visitors all that the region has to offer. I am pleased to announce £300,000 Scottish Government funding towards this project, in line with our Programme for Government commitment to promote Ayrshire as a tourism destination.”

Councillor Alex Gallagher, Cabinet Member for Economy at North Ayrshire Council, added: “This is fantastic news for North Ayrshire and our tourism industry. The announcement from the Scottish Government comes at an exciting time for tourism in North Ayrshire and across the wider region with the development of a new tourism initiative - ‘Five Routes - One Great Adventure’.

“This exciting new initiative, together with our emerging Ayrshire Growth Deal proposals, offers real opportunity. Opportunity to attract new visitors. Opportunity to support our existing business base and opportunity to create jobs and attract investment.”

For more information, email tourism@north-ayrshire.gov.uk.