The strength of the SCOTO Network lies in the sharing of information and inspiring each other, and we strongly believe that tourism can be a force for good.
SCOTO Activity
What we do
SCOTO’s ambition is to recalibrate tourism in Scotland to deliver for Scotland’s communities and environment first.
SCOTO is the only organisation promoting community tourism and the only network with specialist knowledge and extensive experience in this subject. SCOTO has a range of services and activities to support and grow community tourism.
Our work at SCOTO is based on seven key activities, each detailed below:
A Forum for Networking
Individuals and communities across Scotland have access to at least six online gatherings per annum, showcasing best practices and support networking. SCOTO also hosts an annual conference with learning exchange visits.
Learning & Resources
SCOTO provides free access to a bank of online resources specifically tailored to community led tourism initiatives. This includes showcasing best practice case studies, providing a community led tourism themed resource page and signposts to partner resources.
Programme of Support
Individual communities and community led tourism enterprises will have access to small grant and other support programmes which provide resources to progress specific activity – e.g. professional blogs, promotional campaigns, facilitated workshops and learning exchanges
Collective Voice - Leadership and Representation
SCOTO will act as a conduit for the voice of community led tourism on national, regional and local forums, advisory groups and networks. This is to ensure the community led tourism sector has a voice when relevant strategy, policy and delivery plans are being considered and developed.
Promotional Platform
Individual community led tourism enterprises will be able to be profiled and promoted on SCOTO’s visitor facing website, www.belocal.scot and be part of funded content curation and campaign activity targeted at ethical travellers from the UK and overseas.
Data and Intelligence
Individual communities and community led tourism enterprises will benefit from the availability of data and intelligence which demonstrates the social and economic value of community led tourism in Scotland and which will allow proper analysis of gaps and opportunities and provide evidence to support the further development of community led tourism across Scotland and individual projects and initiatives.
Services, Contracts and Partnerships
Individual communities and community led tourism enterprises will either have access to services available from SCOTO or benefit from contracts and services being progressed by SCOTO for strategic partners such as (but not limited to) local authorities, Enterprise Agencies and tourism organisations.
Join the SCOTO Network
The SCOTO Community Tourism Network is now a CIC - Community Interest Company registered in Scotland SC726720. After operating for two years, we recognised that the above structure of the organisation better aligned with our vision and reflect our growing Network.
We want to focus on establishing a robust Network of community tourism enterprises and initiatives across Scotland. The strength of the SCOTO Network lies in the sharing of information and inspiring each other, and we strongly believe everyone should have a voice in this conversation.
We will still continue to be a cooperative owned by our Networkers, but in order to ensure inclusivity, we have adopted an open policy without any fees for individuals. While engagement with the SCOTO Network is free, we will require official registration to join the organisation.
For enterprises, associations, trusts and supporters, you can join through a relevant fee structure.
SCOTO's Impact
SCOTO's activities during its first year have been innovative and substantial for such a new and small organisation.
Have a look at our first year of activity to gain insight into the achievements, reach, and impact of this growing network:
Diane Smith, Moray Walking & Outdoor Festival
“Like other community run organisations, we are volunteers/free-lancers working a few hours a week. So it's hard to keep up with the latest opportunities, examples of good practice or innovative ideas, support and potential funding. By providing a network for similarly focused organisations, SCOTO will fill that gap.”
Emma Guy, CLT Participant & ex SCOTO Director