BORDERS businesses will be helped by £2.7 million of investment in the south of Scotland's tourism industry, according to a local councillor.

South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), which has announced the funding, says it wants to turn the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway into world-class visitor destinations.

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) member Mark Rowley has welcomed the five-year funding programme.

He said: “This is vital investment at a critical time for the tourism industry right across the south of Scotland.”

SOSE says the money will support a “new tourism, marketing and destination development programme”.

A new body called South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) will lead the project.

Mr Rowley, the council’s executive member for business and economic development, suggested the funding will help with the economic recovery from coronavirus.

He said: “Businesses are reopening or making plans for restarting in the near future and will need support to get back on their feet.

“This funding, and the programme it will deliver under the new South of Scotland Destination Alliance, will be critical to the recovery of our tourism sector which in turn is so important to the local economy of the Scottish Borders and wider south of Scotland.”

SOSE chairman Russel Griggs said: “This is a landmark investment and one which confirms our commitment to being ambitious and bold for our region.

“We have always said we will do things differently – to work in the south, for the south – and this is a key part of this is this five-year partnership.

“As well as helping the Covid recovery, we are looking ahead to get us to a place where we will be attracting more people than ever to visit, stay and spend in the South of Scotland, and in a manner which is sustainable and amplifies the many wide reaching benefits tourism gives rise to.

“We must focus on an optimistic future and one which makes our economy stronger than ever, building on the fantastic community spirit and commitment that we all have for our beautiful area and we will work closely with the SSDA to deliver this.”

The Scottish Government’s cabinet secretary for tourism, Fergus Ewing, hailed the contribution and suggested it will bolster his government’s existing support for the tourism industry.

He said: “Tourism is one of Scotland’s greatest assets and we have been clear that we want to get the sector operating as soon as it is safe to do so.

“Our extensive package of support for business which includes the £30 million Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises Hardship Fund, the £120 million Pivotal Enterprises Resilience Fund, and 100 per cent rates relief for the year, is already helping a wide range of tourism businesses across Scotland.

“This £2.7 million investment will build on that, helping to position tourism in the South for sustainable future growth.

“I wish the South of Scotland Destination Alliance every possible success in its efforts to boost the region’s tourism industry at such a critical time.”