{"id":2308,"date":"2017-07-07T10:26:03","date_gmt":"2017-07-07T09:26:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/scotlands-economy\/?p=2308"},"modified":"2018-03-09T10:42:24","modified_gmt":"2018-03-09T10:42:24","slug":"collaborate-celebrate-scotland-offer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/scotlands-economy\/2017\/07\/07\/collaborate-celebrate-scotland-offer\/","title":{"rendered":"Collaborate And Celebrate All Scotland Has To Offer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Helen Goulden from Nesta, and Chair of the Scottish Expert Advisory Panel on the Collaborative Economy, gives an update on progress made on bringing together\u00a0“new economy” service providers to look at how they can improve\u00a0the experience of Scotland’s tourists.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>On 21 June, the Scottish Expert Advisory Panel on the Collaborative Economy<\/a> met in Glasgow to discuss the short-term rental market in Scotland, which has grown in recent years due to the rapid rise in use of digital platforms such as AirBnB, One Fine Stay etc.<\/p>\n

The basis of our discussion was that the collaborative economy presents many opportunities to grow tourism in Scotland (and not just in the short-term rental market) and contribute towards reaching the goals outlined in the Tourism Scotland 2020 strategy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That said, all that opportunity needs to be balanced with ensuring that visitors to Scotland are assured of a safe, quality experience when they visit, and there is a proportionate regulatory environment that is clear and accessible to the many different types of short-term accommodation providers.<\/p>\n

The panel was joined by nine other organisations, who submitted focused evidence on the the short-term rental market in Scotland. While there was a diversity of organisations and vantage points represented in the discussion, it was pleasing that there was so much willingness on the part of all involved to engage in positive debate, focused on navigating a complex field, but putting Scotland\u2019s interests first.<\/p>\n

It is a priority for the panel to focus on evidence and data. Namely, exploring the FACTS of how the collaborative economy is growing and the impact it is having. Throughout our panel discussion on the 21st<\/sup>, it was very clear that there are many opportunities to think how we can bring together data from multiple sources to get a much clearer picture of collaborative economy trends and current activity.<\/p>\n

The panel also recognised that this is a fairly fast moving field and that there can be real benefit in looking at how other cities and nations across the world are reacting to the rise in the short-term rental market. For example, we need to learn (from the successes and mistakes of others) how to balance the demand for increased tourist accommodation with supporting sustainable, local communities.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The panel will not deliver its thinking and recommendations to the Scottish Government until December this year, however we are keen to share some initial thoughts. These will almost certainly evolve and come into focus over the coming months, however they currently include:<\/p>\n