Tourism 'key' to North Sea region

Tourism is being looked at as a way of halting the decline of traditional fishing and oil industry-dependent communities in Scotland.

The event is being hosted by Creation of Sustainable Tourism Destinations (Crest).

Its aim is to help boost the economies of communities in the North Sea region.

Towns such as Fraserburgh and Peterhead have been affected by a shrinking fishing industry.

The conference is discussing how heritage and culture, renewable energy and natural features can take over from dependence on fishing, farming and the oil industry.

Crest project leader Linda Carlsson, of the County Administrative Board of Västra Götaland in Sweden, said: "Many European traditional industries are in decline which has a particularly detrimental effect on more remote communities like Orkney.

"By encouraging countries to implement long term plans for sustainable tourism, we aim to develop tourism infrastructure and best practice in the North Sea region."

As part of the conference, representatives will discuss the Orkney Boat Museum and its efforts to restore the Hall of Clestrain which was featured on the 2004 BBC Restoration programme.

Hugh Halcro-Johnston, chairman of Orkney Boat Museum, said the islands have experienced a steady fall in fishing and farming for 10 years.

He said: "Sustainable tourism is a good way of bolstering the local economy and we welcome our Crest partners to Orkney."

Crest's partners are: County Administrative Board of Västra Götaland; Community of Strömstad, Sweden; Keep Sweden Tidy Foundation; Laesø Municipality, Denmark; Municipality of Hvaler, Norway; Orkney Boat Museum and Whitby Beacon Town Forum.