Vision Strategy 4 - Tourism
Helensburgh is a tourist destination. It has long enjoyed – and still does enjoy - its status as a key destination for day trippers from Glasgow. They bring in millions of pounds to the local economy each year. Helensburgh also attracts many visitors from the rest of the UK and overseas. What they come for is to savour Helensburgh’s wonderful seaside setting: its townscape, its trees and heritage : its unique independent retailing sector and its position as gateway to the Highlands and the Western Isles. And so much more e.g. sailing.
Changes are taking place to tourism in Scotland and Helensburgh must keep pace with these. As well as enhancing facilities for day visitors, e.g. upgraded and sufficient public toilets, visitors:
- take holidays throughout the year
- spend money shopping
- want to cater for themselves
- are attracted by green tourism opportunities
- want to be attracted by something special and unique
- want to be entertained and well fed
The new National Park and Loch Lomond Shores, next door to Helensburgh, present major tourism opportunities to the town. Helensburgh is their natural gateway from the sea. Visitors to them both can stay in Helensburgh, but they must be attracted to do so. A tourism strategy is needed which builds on Helensburgh’s unique setting and heritage, its past and the opportunities before it. A strategy which makes Helensburgh an all-year, all-weather tourist destination of quality and excellence. A strategy which is both imaginative and financially realistic.
