Scottish Tourism Week 2015

MP Tom Clarke visited Red Deer Village Holiday Park in Stepps, Glasgow on Friday 6 March at 2pm, in support of Scottish Tourism Week 2015. Scottish Tourism Week, which ran from 3 March, was designed to put the spotlight on Scotland’s tourism industry. It was also designed to highlight the huge contribution it makes to sustaining local businesses and employment.

MP Visit

The Coatbridge Chryston and Bellshill MP, a former UK Minister of Tourism, took a tour of the family-owned park. Each year, Red Deer Village brings thousands of holidaymakers to the area. Red Deer Village provides luxury accommodation to rent, and pitches for campers, touring caravans and motorhomes. Ivan Hendry accompanied Mr Clarke on his visit.

Red Deer Village Holiday Park Background

Ivan, along with his brother John, have invested heavily in the park since acquiring it ten years ago. Their raft of improvements to the facilities and landscaping have seen Red Deer Village achieve a top five-star grading from VisitScotland for the past three years. It has also been praised by David Bellamy for its many initiatives to protect wildlife and the natural environment. And, it has won the world-famous botanist’s prestigious Silver Conservation Award.

Red Deer Village’s Economic Impact

Tom Clarke heard that visitors to Red Deer Village contribute almost half a million pounds to the regional tourism economy. This is according to independent economic research. “Almost all of that money is spent locally in enterprises such as shops, cafes, and visitor attractions,” said John Hendry. “Thus supporting both businesses and the jobs they provide.”

Red Deer Village itself employs 12 full and part-time staff. The staff work both on the holiday park and the adjacent Red Deer Village retirement park owned by the business.

Mr Hendry says that the popularity of Scotland as a holiday destination, and the “stay-cation” trend of recent years, has encouraged him to continue investing in his business.

Finally, he said that he was delighted that Tom Clarke was able to take time out to visit his family’s park. He was also pleased that Tom wanted to learn more about the park’s positive impact on the region.