Abstract
This pilot study on marine and coastal tourism and recreation in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters (PFOW) area is
part of a larger study on marine and coastal tourism and recreation being carried out for all of Scotland. This pilot
study has been carried out to fulfil two key aims:
- To provide information on marine tourism and recreation activities to inform preparation of the PFOW pilot Marine Spatial Plan. A key output from the work will be more comprehensive and accurate spatial mapping of marine recreation provision and activity, an understanding of the economic importance of the sector, and better information about the interaction between tourism and recreation and other policy areas and sectors.
- To test the approach being developed for the national survey of marine tourism and recreation. The pilot provides an excellent opportunity to test and refine the methodology that underpins the national survey. While the PFOW work will focus around stakeholder and user workshops rather than an online survey, this will allow the team to better understand any methodological issues, challenges and opportunities and to address these as the PFOW work progresses, and subsequently in the national survey methodology.
This case study involved the following stages:
- Developing a comprehensive list of stakeholders in the region
- Collating existing information on marine and coastal tourism and recreation
- Holding workshops to gather spatial information from participants and to engage them in planning challenges relevant to the area
- Gathering additional data and spatial information through targeted contacts
- Trialling the questionnaire to be used for the national study
- Summarising data collected to contribute to the Draft MSP
- Collating any lessons learned for the national study