Moray Tourism Destination Development.

You are warmly invited to a public consultation meeting of the Moray Way Association to be held on Monday 24th. January at 7 pm. in the Lounge of Elgin Town Hall.

This will be the third such meeting of local business and community groups. The first registered enthusiasm for the concept of a Moray Way, the second set out some objectives, many of which have been or are about to be achieved with financial help from Walkers and LEADER.

For example the Walkers map has been published and widely distributed throughout the county, the Dava Way signage has been updated thanks to volunteer work parties form the Dava Way Association, new signposts and waymarkers for the Coast Trail have been made and are currently in store ready to be put in place.

In November two guides to the route were published, namely the Rucksack Reader “The Moray Coast Trail with the Dava Way”, and the updated Cicerone Press Guide to the Speyside Way which covers the entire Moray Way. The Association is in contact with similarly involved groups around Scotland and there is every expectation that each of the three constituent paths, viz. the Dava Way, the Moray Coast Trail and the Speyside Way will be among the twenty or so paths to be nominated as “Scotland’s Great Trails” in forthcoming Scottish Natural Heritage and Visit Scotland publicity.

At the 24 Jan meeting we aim to press forward by having your help and input to address a number of specific questions, viz.

1. The Moray Way is an undoubted tourist asset. How can this be translated into revenue generation for businesses and communities in Moray?

2. How can the activities of MW Association best relate to other organisations with contingent goals such as the Moray Tourism Executive and the Moray Task Force?

3. Can volunteer structure or structures for reporting and maintenance be instituted on the MCT and Speyside Way sections in conjunction with the Moray Countryside Service as happens on the Dava Way?

4. How can income be generated for maintenance and promotion? Specific ideas are video promotions and semi-national or national events, possibly with further LEADER funding.

5. How best to promote development and improvement (as opposed to maintenance), specifically matters like Lynemore rerouting, access at Lossiemouth/Kingston midpoint, formal parking at Dava.

6. What should be the future of the Moray Way Association itself? I hope you will be able to come along to the meeting.