VisitScotland has welcomed the news that planning permission has finally been granted for Donald Trump’s £1 billion golf resort on the Aberdeenshire coast.
The permission was granted yesterday by the Scottish government after it had originally been denied by Aberdeenshire Council over concerns that it would cause environmental damage to the Site of Special Scientific Interest where it is due to be built.
Now tourism bosses are hopeful that the development, which will include 1,000 homes and holiday apartments, a 450-bedroom Gothic-style hotel and two golf courses, will create up to 6,000 jobs and generate as much as £64 million for the local economy annually.
VisitScotland regional director for Aberdeen and Grampian Ken Massie said: “We welcome the decision as the development will make significant impact on the north-east economy, and to the wider Scottish economy.
“Tourism will always be strong in the north east, but this development will help refresh Scotland’s profile through the publicity it will generate and ancillary businesses will grow up around it.
“It will allow us to really raise the bar in terms of the tourism product we have to offer, and it will ensure the area remains a must see, must return destination.”
Scottish Passenger Agents Association spokesman Sandy MacPherson said the decision would have little impact on the association’s own members but added: “We would welcome anything that brings tourism into Scotland.
“I know there are environmental arguments but we’re talking about thousands of jobs and a tremendous facility for the north east and all of Scotland.”