The independence referendum in Scotland: a tourism perspective on different political options. Issue 2 (12th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hay, Brian
• Is Part Of: Journal of tourism futures. Volume 2:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 125
• Page End: 136
• Publication Date: 2016-09-12
• Subjects: Tourism -- Politics -- Scotland -- Futures -- Secessionists movements; Tourism -- Periodicals; Tourism -- Management -- Periodicals; Tourism -- Research -- Periodicals; 338.4791
• DOI: 10.1108/JTF-05-2015-0030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2055-5911

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: During the 2014 independence referendum in Scotland, there was much debate about the future broader political direction of the country but little discussion about its impact on Scottish tourism. The purpose of this paper is to explore and discuss the impact of the different future political options from a tourism perspective. Design/methodology/approach: From the literature, four main political drivers were identified, and using Scotland as a reference, they were used in discussions with six experts to explore how tourism could develop under different political options. The outcomes from these discussions were combined by the researcher to develop in conjunction with the experts an agreed discussion note. This discussion note formed the basis for the exploration of the impact on tourism under four different future political options. Findings: Of the four political options (devolution limited, devolution plus, devolution max/fiscal autonomy/federation and full independence), it is clear that all options had different positive and negative impacts for tourism. The devolution max option, however, was perceived as most damaging to tourism, because tourism would not be considered a priority, relative to other policy issues. The study concludes with six key lessons that destination management organisations (DMOs) should contemplate when considering the impacts of different political futures. Research limitations/implications: Being focussed on one country with a strong political party whose raison d'être is independence makes it difficult to extrapolate the results. Nevertheless, given the strong commonality of agreement of the impacts within the experts consulted, this study suggests that DMOs can and should engage in political debates about the future of tourism in their destination. Originality/value: The 2014 independence referendum in Scotland failed to achieve its primary aim of independence for Scotland, but it did provide space for other political options to be explored. This paper provides a perspective on how tourism could develop under different political options, and so help raise its profile in any future debates, both in Scotland and other destinations.