Visit Scotland refuse FOI request regarding airline engagement

[Planeenthusiast]

The perception of unfair is very understandable. However, any body or company or organisation tasked with promoting a sector of the economy, business or the country more generally will always target the city or location or business which offers the highest potential return on the investment. Edinburgh - “the city” is the country’s biggest marketing gold card. It has been for some time. However unpopular this is, inevitably, airlines will be more likely to want to serve that city airport or secure more lucrative terms from that airport along with other incentives. For arguments sake, if Disney were to open a new theme park ten miles outside Glasgow, the whole situation would likely change overnight. Glasgow airport would immediately be used as a valuable marketing tool to attract new airlines and business.

Visit Scotland have targets to meet. Government demand they deliver results and secure investment. FOI’s can be a great way of obtaining certain information. However, when it comes to information relating to government decision making or information a body claims to be financially sensitive, as we see almost on a daily basis, they are very reluctant to disclose the information requested.

[Clive]

The perception of unfair is very understandable. However, any body or company or organisation tasked with promoting a sector of the economy, business or the country more generally will always target the city or location or business which offers the highest potential return on the investment. Edinburgh - “the city” is the country’s biggest marketing gold card. It has been for some time. However unpopular this is, inevitably, airlines will be more likely to want to serve that city airport or secure more lucrative terms from that airport along with other incentives. For arguments sake, if Disney were to open a new theme park ten miles outside Glasgow, the whole situation would likely change overnight. Glasgow airport would immediately be used as a valuable marketing tool to attract new airlines and business.

Visit Scotland have targets to meet. Government demand they deliver results and secure investment. FOI’s can be a great way of obtaining certain information. However, when it comes to information relating to government decision making or information a body claims to be financially sensitive, as we see almost on a daily basis, they are very reluctant to disclose the information requested.

Yes I agree about the demand and marketing activities and don’t believe there’s anything underhand going on. To be fair, Edinburgh’s Old Town is like a living theme park and tourists rightly love it. Visitscotland will work with any airlines who are indicating they’d be open to serving Scotland and not view it pitching one airport over the other. The airports are just the facility where planes can land and pax can be processed.