The Cairngorms Business Partnership (CBP) has outlined its commitment to ‘growth’ and ‘prosperity’ for the UK’s largest national park, as part of its new election manifesto released today (Monday 3rd November 2025).
The local chamber of commerce and destination marketing organisation supports a diverse and vibrant business community of over 370 firms within the Cairngorms National Park, including the towns and villages of Aviemore, Ballater, Newtonmore, Grantown-on-Spey, Blair Atholl, Tomintoul and Glen Clova.
With the largest number of members in any chamber of commerce in the Highlands, CBP is committed to nurturing a thriving and sustainable economic environment for everyone across the region in 2026 and beyond.
CBP has now put forward its key priorities and recommendations for the next Scottish Government, focusing on critical issues that impact the growth and prosperity of businesses across the Cairngorms National Park.
The new CBP election manifesto focuses on seven key areas for development, including addressing affordable housing challenges; tackling skills and labour shortages; attracting new talent and businesses; supporting local businesses and economic growth; reforming the visitor levy; fostering environmental sustainability and green growth; and destination management of the National Park.
CBP works with five local councils, VisitScotland, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, The Scottish Chambers of Commerce and The Cairngorms National Park Authority as a chamber of commerce and a destination marketing organisation committed to promoting responsible and sustainable tourism.
Craig Mills, chief executive of Cairngorms Business Partnership, said:
“We’re ready to work collaboratively with the next Scottish Government to implement the crucial measures outlined in our election manifesto and ensure a vibrant, sustainable, and prosperous future for the Cairngorms region.
“Around 80 per cent of our membership are in the key tourism and hospitality sector, but we also represent other sectors that cover the entire local economy, including business support and land management.
“As well as growth of the local tourism economy, we’re also committed to addressing the region’s affordable housing challenges; skills development and labour shortages; as well as fostering environmental sustainability and green growth.”
Mr Mills added:
“We want to be more powerful for our members and with our members in 2026.
“I believe Cairngorms Business Partnership is in a great position to strengthen and futureproof both its operations and its role in this incredible area of Scotland with the continued support of our membership and wider industry partners and stakeholders.”
The Cairngorms Business Partnership annual conference will take place at the Macdonald Aviemore Conference Centre on Wednesday 12th November, including keynote speeches from the chief executive of Cairngorms Business Partnership, Craig Mills; Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, Professor Mairi Spowage; and Director of Industry & Destination Development at VisitScotland, Rob Dickson.
To register for the event and for more information click HERE
For more information on CBP and for a copy of the new Cairngorms Business Partnership Election Manifesto, go to cairngormchamber.com and ciarngormchamber.com/mebernews
CBP and VisitCairngorms works to drive visits to the Cairngorms National Park.
The latest tourism economic impact research report for the region indicated steady growth in visitor numbers, spend and employment.
There were an estimated 2.15 million tourism visits to the region in 2023, adding around £419m in value to the local tourism economy, and supporting over 5,400 full-time equivalent jobs.
CBP operate the official visitor website for the Cairngorms National Park at www.visitcairngorms.com
