About

Argyll & the Isles Tourism Co-operative Ltd (AITC) is the strategic Destination Management Organisation for Argyll & the Isles on the West Coast of Scotland.

Our destination organisations cover: Mull and Iona; Tiree and Coll; Islay, Jura and Colonsay; Oban and Lorn; Campbeltown, Kintyre and Gigha; Inveraray and Kilmartin; Bute; Dunoon & Cowal and Loch Lomond and the Helensburgh & the Clyde Sea Lochs.

AITC was formed in 2012 as a cooperative with its membership being the local marketing and sectoral groups – representing in the region of 1200 business interests.

We work at a local and national level promoting Argyll & the Isles as a must-visit destination to domestic and overseas markets and build capacity within our industry.

Argyll & the Isles extends to 690,000 hectares and is the second largest area in Scotland, after Highland.

We sit immediately to the west of the city of Glasgow and as well as a vast mainland area with numerous peninsulas we have 23 inhabited islands, each with their own identity and culture.

Our coastline is over 3,700km long and 80% of our population live within 1km of the coast and 96.5% are within 10km of the coast. Just over 17% of our population live on our islands.

By working together since 2012 we have created a strong place brand presenting our destination as Scotland’s Adventure Coast.

Our work is funded by membership fees, Argyll & Bute Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Visit Scotland. We also receive grants from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

Fair Work First

Argyll & Isles Tourism Co-operative is committed to advancing the Fair Work First criteria, specifically:

1. We have an appropriate channel for effective employee voice

2. We invest in workforce development

3. We do not use zero-hours contracts

4. We take action to tackle the gender pay gap and create a more diverse and inclusive workplace

5. We commit to paying the Real Living Wage

6. We offer flexible and family-friendly working practices for all workers from day one of employment

7. We oppose the use of fire and rehire practice

The Fair Work First criteria are also referenced in our procurement processes, to encourage third-party providers to adopt positive fair work practices.

About

Fair Work First

Recovery & Growth Strategy

Travel Trade