Shetland's only tourist office is about to close forever! We need to save it!
The iCentre in Market Cross is a critical piece of infrastructure for Shetland tourism, providing a local office where people can talk in person to recieve help, tips, and socialise. However, Visit Scotland have decided that their local offices are not needed, completely disregarding the benefits of a tourist centre in the heart of Lerwick and the needs of tourism in Shetland. The office is practically self sustaining, but they would rather have all tourist information provided online or through a call centre, which strips away the personal touch that makes all the difference.
The Shetland Islands Council have surprised us all with the sudden announcement of the leasing of the building, giving very little time for any attempt to save the centre. We at the STA wish to take over operations of the iCentre, keeping its soul alive and its heart beating in Lerwick. To that end, we need help! We need to show the SIC that the people of Shetland want and need the tourist centre to stay.
Visit Scotland will be leaving, but we can still save the centre. Please sign our online petition here , and we will present the petition to the SIC with our proposal for a takeover of the premises. Even if we cannot secure the exact building, we are determined that a tourist office in the centre of our capital is a crucial linchpin for tourism in Shetland, without with it may crumble entirely.
Once again, please sign the petition by clicking here or by scanning the QR code below!
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