THE CEO of major Scots tourism business improvement district, Visit Inverness Loch Ness (VILN), is stepping down.
Michael Golding is leaving the position to take up a new role as CEO of the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA).
A business improvement district is an area in which businesses collaborate to achieve positive outcomes for local people.
Under Michael’s leadership, VILN has increased opt-in members by 43%, doubled the size of its tea and won national and international awards.
VILN also become the UK’s first carbon neutral business improvement district since he took up the role in 2019.
From 2022 to 2023, VILN invested 3.21 times its levy income into the area, providing benefit to its membership of more than 400 tourism businesses and the destination as a whole.
Additionally, the organisation has made strides in its action on climate change, producing and delivering its first Climate Action Plan in 2022-2023, followed by the launch of a second edition earlier this year.
Michael will take up his new role as CEO of the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA), in which he will replace outgoing CEO Gordon Morrison, in the coming months.
Commenting on the announcement, Michael Golding said: “It has been a privilege to lead Visit Inverness Loch Ness and represent the area where I grew up.
“It has truly been a pleasure to work with so many inspiring people in our local tourism industry.
“I leave with Visit Inverness Loch Ness in a strong position for a new CEO to take the organisation forward and ensure a bright future for our iconic destination.
“The Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA) is a nationally significant organisation, and I will continue to represent businesses from the area.
“My aim now is to deliver the ASVA vision for Scottish attractions to deliver outstanding experiences for each and every visitor.”
VILN is now seeking its next CEO, who can lead the organisation through an inspiring new business plan and through its renewal ballot to 2029.
VILN became the first tourism business improvement district in the UK when it was established in 2014 and operates within a defined destination that covers over 1,200 square miles, including the Highland capital of Inverness and Loch Ness.
