Highlands And Islands Enterprise Joins Forces With Spirit Of The Highlands And Islands

17th June 2022

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Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is joining forces with the Spirit of the Highlands and Islands project to provide funding support.

Spirit of the Highlands and Islands aims to encourage visitors to see all parts of the Highlands and Islands in a sustainable way.

HIE, Scotland's economic and community development agency for the Highlands and Islands, will be providing £120,000 to fund new jobs.

Director of the Inverness Castle Project, Fiona Hampton said: "To generate the economic and social benefits for the communities of the Highlands and Islands, it's our aim to reposition the region as a responsible tourism destination.

"Thanks to Highlands and Islands Enterprise we will be able to recruit dedicated digital specialists to promote the places, people and their stories using immersive digital content."

Spirit of the Highlands and Islands will create a suite of innovative and interactive digital content assets showcasing the stories of the region.

HIE area manager for the Inner Moray Firth area James Gibbs said: “Tourism is a very important sector in our region’s economy and vital for the recovery of our regional economy.

“Our support for this project intended to enhance the region’s offer, give visitors more reasons to stay longer and see more in the Highlands and Islands. We hope it may help to extend the season by encouraging people to come here outside of the normal busy periods.

“I am very pleased we are able support this project and, in particular, I am delighted that we are supporting jobs that will use digital technology and innovation to develop tourism in our region. We look forward to continuing to work with High Life Highland on delivering this innovative project."

The Spirit of the Highlands and Islands project will be delivered in partnership with VisitScotland and aims to deliver benefits for local communities, helping to unlock economic potential and improve visitor experiences across the region by engaging people with our rich natural and cultural heritage.

It is supported by a grant from the Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund (NCHF) led by NatureScot and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Reflecting the Spirit of the Highlands and Islands theme, it will encourage people to visit all parts of the Highlands and Islands in a sustainable way.

The Inverness Castle project is part of the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal, which is a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.

 

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