Number of direct jobs: 21.12 full time equivalents
Estimated indirect jobs*: 36.74
(* Indirect income effect multiplier of 1.74 used (source The Scottish Economic Bulletin 1997)
The tourism industry relies heavily on the natural heritage and wilderness appeal of the area. There are a number of coastal walks, such as Alligin Shuas to Diabaig which offer an alternative to the higher hills and there is a growing interest in diving, particularly in the narrows between the upper and main loch. Boat trips have been available in the past and it is possible to hire small boats in Shieldaig and by request in Diabaig.
Tourism based employment in wider Wester Ross is characterised by a high proportion of jobs in distribution, hotels and catering. Seasonal trends in employment are typical of an area dependant on tourism, with significant summer seasonal peaks and winter troughs.
To determine how important the coastal waters are to tourism a telephone survey of a range of some 45 businesses in the Loch Torridon study area was carried out. One of the specific questions asked during the survey was `What percentage of tourists are attracted by the loch?' 44% stated that the loch attracted tourists in its own right and the remainder were unable to split the draw of the loch from the landscape generally. This proved the basis for the crude calculation of the 21 dependant jobs above.
Factors attracting tourists to the area are related to the proximity of the hills and the sea and the availability of serviced and self-catering accommodation. Visitors are becoming more mobile and spend less time in any one area, and this seems to be the case in Torridon with may tourists passing through the district on the coastal road. This type of tourist does not tend to spend much in the area. Many of the self-catering operators noted that their guests did a lot of walking, both on hill paths and low level coastal walks. Generally within the Highlands there is an increase in both the provision and occupancy of self-catering type accommodation.
There is an increase in interest in `sustainable green tourism' and the study identifies some opportunities in the area, such as boat trips, dive guides, more low level coastal walks or path improvements and the potential for other services. These are possible business development ideas which would need careful and detailed investigation before being undertaken.
The reliance on seasonal tourism based work underlines the importance of year-round employment that is available from fishing and aquaculture, although both are affected to some extent by seasonality and fluctuating prices.
