Tourism project in jobs boost aim

The project wants to promote wildlife, walking, food, sports and genealogy

A tourism project in Perthshire and Angus is aiming to create 150 jobs and boost the economy in rural areas.

The "Unlocking economic potential" scheme runs until 2011 and is backed by £400,000 of European Union funding.

It is targeting activity tourism, such as golf and fishing, and ancestral tourism like genealogy and culture.

The project also focuses on food and drink tourism, such as whisky and farm shops, and freedom tourism, which includes wildlife, walking and forests.

'Quality service'

Councillor John Kellas, from Perth and Kinross Council, said: "The tourism industry in Perthshire and Angus is facing worldwide competition in a growing market where quality service delivery and enhanced visitor experience will be key to success in developing tourism in the region.

"We have two key objectives. The first is to build and support sustainable and competitive tourism businesses, committed to quality service delivery.

"We also hope to develop and implement focussed, cost effective strategies and action plans for integrated product development and marketing."