Orkney Islands Council is inviting locals to take part in a series of community workshops aimed at shaping how tourism is managed across the islands.
The Community Tourism Conversations will build on the Our Orkney, Our Story project, which launched in August and gathered valuable local insight into the opportunities and challenges created by visitor numbers.
The workshops will give residents a direct voice in how tourism develops, with a focus on ensuring benefits are shared across communities, the economy, and the environment.
“Tourism is vital to Orkney’s economy, but we need to ensure it works for everyone who lives here,” said Councillor Kristopher Leask, Chair of the Council’s Development and Infrastructure Committee.
“These workshops are an opportunity for residents to have a real say in shaping how we manage tourism going forward.”
The sessions will take place at the Pickaquoy Centre on:
- Wednesday 5 November
- Thursday 6 November
- Tuesday 11 November
Each workshop will run from 11:30am to 2:30pm, and includes a sandwich lunch for attendees.
The events will share findings from summer research and invite attendees to help shape a shared vision for tourism, as well as practical actions for Orkney’s Visitor Management Plan.
There are just 24 spaces available per session, and early booking is essential to secure a spot.
“We want to hear your views and ideas so we can develop practical solutions that benefit both our communities and our visitors,” added Cllr Leask.
Bookings can be made online at http://bit.ly/47f0wC5, with participants asked to share any dietary requirements when signing up.
