Responsible tourism

A year in 20 photographs 16/20 – supporting local business

One of the many things that we are proud of at Skinny Tyres is our customised vans. We use these to support our riders during their cycling holiday in Scotland so we equip them with everything that they, or our guides, may need whilst on tour.

This includes sustenance for hungry cyclists and our spread is substantial. However, we are conscious that we visit areas with limited resources. Therefore, to support this fragile economy, we encourage our riders to stop at local cafés for coffee, cake and lunch. One such area is the Outer Hebrides where numerous cafes are scattered along the route of The Hebridean Way.

Skinny Tyres is a small family-owned and run business, so we recognise the benefits of mutual support from other small businesses. We are part of the Outer Hebrides Tourism (OHT) group that actively promotes The Hebridean Way as a recognised route through the islands. OHT and its members realise that visitors contribute to the local economy by patronising local businesses. These businesses include self-employed taxi drivers, cafés, accommodation providers and local artisans. They are all part of working communities which are largely dependent on the influx of tourists to boost their income. So when we visit, we make a point of supporting them. Consequently, over the years we have made many friends on the islands.

We respect that tourism needs to be sustainable and beneficial to places in environmentally sensitive areas. Furthermore, we are mindful that tourism can have negative impacts on communities and landscapes. Thus, we constantly look at ways to improve our interactions with regards to supporting local businesses by working in partnership with them to address environmental and socio-economical concerns.