ASSC Scotland

25/12/2024

As tourism operators, we know how busy the Christmas period can be. Not only are you making time for your own families, but you’re also dedicated to giving your guests the best Scottish Christmas experience possible.

Today, we hope you take a well-deserved moment to put your feet up, enjoy the festivities, and celebrate all your hard work.

Cheers to YOU and everything you do to make this season magical! 🥂

Wishing you a joyful and relaxing Christmas Day!

24/12/2024

It’s Christmas Eve, and Father Christmas is preparing for his journey across Scotland - hopefully making stops at all the self-catering cottages where families are eagerly awaiting his arrival!

As self-catering operators, we know many of you are working hard to create unforgettable Christmas experiences for your guests.

Here’s to a successful night of festive fun and a safe trip for Santa!

📷Getty Images/ Canva

22/12/2024

🚨 CLOSING TOMORROW! Exclusive Member Offer: Free Property Listing on Simply Owners! 🚨

Deadline: Monday, 23rd December!

Offer Details:

🌟 What’s included: One free property listing for one year (value: £298.80).
🌟 Additional properties can be listed at an additional cost.
🌟 Eligibility: Must be a current ASSC member and new to Simply Owners.

How to Redeem:

🌟 Visit: www.simplyowners.net/advertise-with-us
🌟 Use the exclusive ASSC promo code found here: https://www.assc.co.uk/event/promo-codes-for-assc-members

Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to boost your bookings with Simply Owners.

For further information on Simply owners and their amazing offer, please visit here: https://www.assc.co.uk/partners-for-business/simply-owners-advertise-your-property

Simply Owners Ltd

20/12/2024

🌟 A Year of Excellence: Celebrating Fiona Campbell and the ASSC’s Success in 2024 🌟

2024 has been a truly remarkable and award-filled year for the ASSC and our inspirational Chief Executive, Fiona Campbell.

From prestigious accolades to national recognition, this year has showcased the unwavering dedication and innovation driving Scotland’s self-catering sector forward.

Fiona’s leadership has been celebrated on multiple stages, earning her titles such as Executive Director of the Year and Tourism Individual of the Year, while the ASSC itself has been recognised for its excellence and impact.

🔗 Take a moment to revisit all the incredible milestones this year: https://www.assc.co.uk/awards/a-year-of-excellence-celebrating-fiona-campbell-and-the-asscs-award-winning-success-in-2024

20/12/2024

🌟 Beyond’s 2024 Annual Report is Here! 🌟

Ready to thrive in 2025? From AI in travel to shifting guest preferences, “A Look Beyond: The Future of Stays Starts Now” is packed with insights to help you stay ahead in an ever-changing market.

📊 Explore 2025 data trends
🌍 Discover evolving traveler preferences
🤖 Learn how AI is transforming stays

Download the report now and shape the future of travel: https://www.assc.co.uk/partners-for-business/beyonds-2024-annual-report-a-look-beyond-the-future-of-stays-starts-now

Beyond: Dynamic Pricing

20/12/2024

ASSC Press Release – New BiGGAR Economics report: compelling independent evidence that self-catering fails to impact Edinburgh’s housing market: https://www.assc.co.uk/industry-news/assc-press-release-new-biggar-economics-report-compelling-independent-evidence-that-self-catering-fails-to-impact-edinburghs-housing-market

Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said: “This is yet more compelling evidence that short-term lets aren’t the main contributor of the housing crisis but are instead turbocharging local economies, with a £154m positive impact in Edinburgh supporting thousands of jobs.

The current unbalanced regulatory framework does not reflect this reality and changes are needed before irreversible damage is done. City of Edinburgh Council should take heed of the report’s findings when considering their approach to planning policies and control areas to ensure the relatively small number of valuable short-term lets are protected.

Through providing a robust and holistic analysis, this report shatters myths. Rather than the city being overrun by STLs, Edinburgh is in fact a hotspot for empty homes. For policymakers, the message couldn’t be clearer: you can’t solve a housing crisis by producing a crisis in Scottish tourism by decimating local businesses that underpin the local economy. Attention must shift to the real causes of the housing crisis.”

📷Canva

20/12/2024

🚨 Closing Soon! Exclusive Member Offer: Free Property Listing on Simply Owners! 🚨

Deadline: Monday, 23rd December!

Offer Details:

🌟 What’s included: One free property listing for one year (value: £298.80).
🌟 Additional properties can be listed at an additional cost.
🌟 Eligibility: Must be a current ASSC member and new to Simply Owners.

How to Redeem:

🌟 Visit: www.simplyowners.net/advertise-with-us
🌟 Use the exclusive ASSC promo code found here: https://www.assc.co.uk/event/promo-codes-for-assc-members

Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to boost your bookings with Simply Owners.

For further information on Simply owners and their amazing offer, please visit here: https://www.assc.co.uk/partners-for-business/simply-owners-advertise-your-property

Simply Owners Ltd

19/12/2024

Western Isles short term lets boost the economy by £19m with no evidence of housing impact on residents , according to a report by BiGGAR Economics.

The new independent analysis from a respected Scottish consultancy reveals the substantial positive economic impact of Scotland’s self-catering industry which was also shown to have a negligible effect on housing.

The Outer Hebrides short-term let sector, despite regulatory challenges, is performing well with one of the largest economic impacts in the country, generating an impressive £19m GVA per annum and supporting 646 jobs in the local area, the study shows.

Guests staying in self-catering accommodation, termed ‘secondary lets’ in Scottish STL legislation, also spend more than the average visitor to the islands, with knock-on gains for related tourist and hospitality businesses:

https://www.welovestornoway.com/index.php/articles/36573-short-term-lets-are-great-boost-for-isles-report-claims

18/12/2024

Following the AGM on 13th November 2024, the Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers (ASSC) is delighted to announce the appointment of Iain Muirhead as the new Chair of the Association.

Iain Muirhead, Chair of the ASSC, said:

“I’m honoured to be appointed as Non-Executive Chairperson of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers. It’s a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated Board and membership, championing the self-catering sector- a vital part of Scotland’s tourism industry. I look forward to supporting our members and promoting sustainable growth for self-catering businesses across the country.”

Read more: https://www.assc.co.uk/news-items/assc-welcomes-iain-muirhead-as-new-chair-following-2024-agm

18/12/2024

Moray’s short-term let sector, despite regulatory challenges, is performing well, generating nearly £10m GVA per annum and supporting 314 jobs in the local area.

This follows welcome news that tourism is now worth a record £187m to the local economy after a 25% increase in visits between 2022 and 2023.

Guests staying in self-catering accommodation, termed ‘secondary lets’ in Scottish STL legislation, also spend more than the average visitor to Moray, with knock-on gains for related tourist and hospitality businesses.

Alongside this huge economic boost, the researchers also highlight that self-catering accounts for less than 1% of the country’s total housing stock.

BiGGAR Economics challenges false narratives surrounding Scotland’s self-catering sector now at risk from heavy-handed government regulation. A new independent analysis from a respected Scottish consultancy reveals the substantial positive economic impact of Scotland’s self-catering industry whi...

18/12/2024

Moray Council to consider short-term lets controls on ‘high-demand’ areas:

Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Self-Caterers, said

“Decisions around short-term let control areas should be guided by data and there is currently no justification to introduce it in Moray. There are nearly three times as many economically inactive empty homes across Moray than short-term lets. This is where the focus must shift to when seeking to address housing challenges rather than pursuing a policy which will damage a sector which supports hundreds of local jobs and generates around £10m per year for the region’s economy.”

The Facts: https://www.assc.co.uk/policy/economic-impact-of-short-term-lets-in-scotland-biggar-report

New analysis shows that Speyside Glenlivet has more than three times the proportion of short-term lets compared to the Moray average.

18/12/2024

Industry Update: 56 Degree Insight has published a Festive edition of the Scottish Tourism Index.

The survey delves into Scots plans for the Christmas and New Year period, including how many of us intend to stay home as opposed to taking overnight tourism trips.

See the findings:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c90193534c4e2471aa9a6db/t/6761fae47da8221862ce9e32/1734474479720/Christmas+%26+Hogmanay+Plans+2024.pdf

17/12/2024

✨ Competition Winners Announcement! ✨

We’re delighted to reveal the winners of the Bookster & Gordon Castle Scotland competition, held at our Regional Gathering in Glasgow last month!

🎉 Congratulations to Esther V. 🎉

You've won a £100 voucher for the Spa at Blythswood Square – the ultimate indulgence for a relaxing day!

🎉 Congratulations to Chrissie F. 🎉

You've won a Gordon Castle Scotland Sustainable Luxury Gift Box – a perfect treat to enjoy sustainable luxury at its finest!

A huge thank you, on behalf of Bookster and Gordon Castle Scotland, to everyone who entered. And thank you to all who helped make our Regional Gathering such a fantastic event.

16/12/2024

it’s Association Success Awards night tonight and the ASSC is a FINALIST for two prestigious awards!

‘Executive Director of the Year’ and ‘Association of the Year’! Keep your fingers crossed please 🙏 🤞🤞

16/12/2024

"A rush to introduce a visitor levy will damage the essential tourism and hospitality businesses that local economies rely on to support jobs and attract visitors"

The wrong application, at the wrong time, in the wrong place. Read the updated official Visitor Levy Policy position released today by the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA):

Summary of Position StatementsShongah Davidson2024-12-16T11:44:07+00:00 Scotland’s National Tourism Strategy, Scotland Outlook 2030, sets out six conditions of success to achieve our shared vision to be the leader in 21st century tourism. Having the right policy and regulatory landscape in place i...

16/12/2024

❄️ Troo's Top 7 Tips: Keep Winter Rentals Cosy and Cost-efficient 🏠

Winter brings charm and cosiness for self-catering guests, but rising energy costs can make balancing comfort and efficiency tricky.

Troo shares 7 smart tips to keep your property warm, welcoming, and energy-efficient this season around the following:

💡 Smarter Heating
💡 Heat Loss Prevention
💡 Energy-saving Upgrades
💡 Add Cosy Touches

To find out how to manage energy costs while enhancing guest comfort, read the full article here: https://www.assc.co.uk/partners-for-business/troo-7-tips-to-keep-winter-rentals-cosy-and-cost-efficient

troocost.com

13/12/2024

Plan to explore potential for 'tourist tax' in Stirling approved

A consultation will now be undertaken with residents, local businesses, tourist operators and other key stakeholders, including Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

It will be presented in the autumn, with a further report to be brought to the Council in December 2025 that will seek to approve or dismiss its introduction.

Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said:

“Stirling Council must tread carefully with plans for a visitor levy. If they do this, they must do it right.

We have seen that short-term let licensing has been far from plain sailing and the same affected small businesses now look set to become de-facto unpaid tax collectors. The accumulative regulatory impact could cripple businesses at a time when recovery is precarious. However, it is not just operators or overseas visitors who will be impacted but ordinary Scots choosing to visit Stirling will be hit in the pocket too.

Tourism is an important part of Stirling’s economy, with short-term lets generating nearly £30m GVA, supporting 960 jobs, according to a new analysis by BiGGAR Economics. It is therefore imperative that we see a full economic impact assessment to accompany the proposals.

Overall, any levy must be set fairly, have good governance and thoughtful implementation at its core, and monies raised ring fenced for tourist infrastructure only. Failure to take these steps could result in a levy that erodes the very industry it is supposedly intended to support.”

A plan to explore the potential for a visitor levy scheme in the Stirling area has been approved.

13/12/2024

💚 ASSC Bi-Monthly News Update – 12th December 2024 💚

📬 Check your inbox for the latest ASSC updates, including:

📰 Key Highlights:

- Economic Impact Report: BiGGAR Economics reveals short-term lets contribute £864m annually to Scotland's economy and support 30,000 jobs.
- Edinburgh Visitor Levy Consultation: Reminder – share your input by 15th December 2024!

🙌 Member Opportunities:

- Marketing Membership: Boost bookings with workshops, campaigns, and tools for just £69/year.
- Exclusive Offer from Simply Owners: Free property listing worth £298.80 – redeem by 23rd December 2024.

🌟 Partner News:

- Troo’s Winter Tips: Keep rentals cosy and cost-efficient this season.
- Breezeway Webinar: Discover the impact of interior design on vacation rentals, 19th December 2024 at 2 PM EST.
- VoltShare Survey: See how EV charging is shaping hospitality.

🤝 New Partners:

- Welcome Simply Owners, HMA Tax, IF Water, Yapstone, and Tuminds to the ASSC community!

🔗 Stay Connected:

- Join the ASSC WhatsApp Community for real-time networking.
- Catch up on latest news and media coverage.

✨ For full details, check your inbox now! ✨