New project lengthens tourist season along Great Glen Ways
A new project to entice walkers, bikers, and canoeists to come to the Great Glen in the shoulder months was launched today (Monday 2 March 2009) by The Highland Council.
‘Friends of the Great Glen Ways’ is a membership discount card programme which offers loyalty discounts to people using facilities along the Great Glen Ways whether by boot, bike or boat.
Launching the project at the north end of the Great Glen Way at Inverness Castle, keen cyclist - Councillor Ian Ross, Chairman of the Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee said: “Friends of the Great Glen Ways is a great product that will be of benefit to both businesses and visitors at the same time. Highland Council is committed to working in partnership with the business community to develop tourism activities and this project is an excellent example of our support.”
The idea was first mooted at a Business Workshop Forum hosted by Great Glen Way Route Manager Lynda Dodd in October 2006. From its inception representatives of businesses and the Great Glen Way Route Manager have been working together to create a sproject that would:
The resultant membership provides route users and locals the chance to make savings on their trips and outings.
Lynda Dodd explained: “The project has two components - both the public and local businesses can join the programme. Local businesses can both provide and take advantage of the discounts available. Becoming a member of the Friends of the Great Glen Ways provides the user with discounts and offers. They are supplied with a credit-card-sized Red Star Discount Card which enables them access to businesses offering discounts to maximise their occupancy in the quieter times of the year. This is not a new concept, but joining with a Friends Membership option, makes the product much more saleable and both the Friends and the businesses are gaining.”
Business participant Dick Beech from Fiddler’s Restaurant & Malt Whisky Bar in Drumnadrochit said: "We wanted to create a product that services both walker and businesses - one that would be used again and again that ticks loads of boxes of the customer.”
For an annual fee, of £15.00, discounts can be had on a variety of services from accommodation, cafes and food shops, to canoe hire and golf. The Red Star Discount Card has a life of one year, and can be used repeatedly throughout.
From the data collected by the Great Glen Way Rangers, a Great Glen Way Walker on average, spends 6 nights and approximately £250.00 during their trip. As a Friend of the Great Glen Way and using a Red Star Discount Card visitors could save upward of £30.00 on a single walking visit.
Additional benefits that “Friends” receive are the opportunity to join in fun days, tree planting days, and biodiversity days, with the Rangers and businesses in the Great Glen.
To purchase a Friends of the Great Glen Way Red Star Discount Card and access the 30 discounts available, log onto www.greatglenway.com or phone the Great Glen Way Rangers on tel: 01320 366633.