WetTed
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Joined: 18 Jan 2007
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 Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:49 pm Post subject: St Abbs and Eyemouth dive plans. |
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/6260736.stm
| BBC wrote: |
Diving plans have £2m potential
A new study has shown that establishing the Berwickshire coast as a top diving location could generate an extra £2m for the Scottish economy.
The report says that marketing St Abbs and Eyemouth as a single dive location could create up to 100 new jobs.
It is estimated that the project could bring as many as 15,000 extra visitors a year to the area.
Scottish Borders Enterprise said the report showed the potential benefits of working with more "cohesion".
Executive Director Julian Pace said that the area had become very popular with divers since the creation of the St Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve in 1984.
"Most dive businesses, however, operate independently from each other with little cohesion," he said.
"The report highlights that working together to promote what the area has to offer could increase the number of visitors from both the UK and overseas."
However, he said there were a number of obstacles to be overcome.
"The report also highlights that there are some potential barriers to growth such as existing congestion and a lack of suitable facilities," he said.
"We must look at how we can grow the sector sustainably.
"We will be working with residents and businesses in both communities to look at how we can address these and ensure that we can maximise the potential for the area."
A new working group of diving-related businesses in the region is being established to look at the proposals in more detail.
One of its key priorities will be talking to other tourism businesses in the area such as accommodation providers and visitor attractions.
Stan Johnson, of Aquastars Dive Centre in Eyemouth, said he hoped as many businesses as possible would get involved.
"The report highlights several areas of opportunity for growth and by working together we can help realise this potential and make the Berwickshire coast one of the leading dive centres in the UK," he said.
According to Chris Cutts of the Scottish Sustainable Marine Environment Initiative, it is simply a question of building on what the area has to offer.
"The Berwickshire coast is already one of the top five sites in the UK with a number of impressive reef and rock formations, plenty of marine life as well as famous shipwrecks such as the Odense," he said.
"The report shows how we can capitalise on the unique natural assets of the Berwickshire coast in a sustainable and successful way while also protecting the marine environment."
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