AITC GOING THE EXTRA MILE “From Monday 23rd March 2020, AITC’s mission has been to ensure the industry, we are all so passionate about, survives - with the safety of our guests and our wonderful teams at the heart of navigating a safe pathway forward. Our Covid-19 WhatsApp group has over 130 subscribers from industry, many feeding in daily on their experiences, comments, concerns, support and humour, vital during these really uncertain times and a boost to us all during the dark days I’m sure we have all had. With weekly Zoom meetings with our directors, government ministers, the Argyll Resilience Forum, the Scottish Tourism Alliance, CalMac and our neighbouring DMOs we have been nimble in making sure that we have a joined up narrative informed by our business communities and making sure the facts are being heard and will continue to be. Through our networks we have managed to collate an online business porthole with over 940 entries on who`s open and who may not be ready yet so visitors can make informed decisions. It’s been and continues to be unprecedented times – and it’s our spirit of collaboration that is fuelling our recovery plans.” Iain Jurgensen, Chair, Argyll and the Isles Tourism Cooperative
GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR OUR BUSINESSES, WITH OUR BUSINESSES From small independent retailers to large hotel groups, and tour companies to food and drink producers, we all make it our business to help and support each other, especially in a time of need. Q&A WITH JANET FROM TENTS & EVENTS
Read how our business community have come together during lockdown, so we can survive to serve our communities and visitors now and in the future as we work through this pandemic.
Janet opened Tents & Events, in Dunoon in 1998 and this year has been like no other with no events able to take place since the end of March, which is the core of their business - but is very much looking forward to 2021! How have you gone the extra mile during lockdown or post-lockdown? We’ve been busy helping out Argyll & Bute council with local food distribution and also with NHS in providing secure structures for the drive through test centres. What have you missed most about not being open over the past months? We miss the buzz from doing all the different types of events and weddings. What have you learned about your community during this time? The community has really come
Dunoon from the sky
together during this to provide excellent services for those in need, in particular the food hubs. What do you love most about living and working here? It’s a beautiful part of the country, if not the world, and we’re so fortunate we get to experience it everyday, from our doorstep. The pace of life here is something I much prefer over somewhere like the city. Any special stories about someone or a business in your
area that has gone that extra mile during lockdown that makes you smile? Burgh Halls in Dunoon have really gone that extra mile in providing a ‘community hub’ for everyone. They’ve completely transformed their venue to be able to support the food distribution needed for the greater areas. Three words to sum up how you’re feeling now that we’re out of lockdown? Events need supported.
CHAT CHAT CHAT AITC used WhatsApp Group Chat, Zoom meetings, emails and good old phone calls to keep our business community connected!
Before you travel that extra mile check where is open and when at go.wildaboutargyll.co.uk 46
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