An academic has claimed there is no “measurable” evidence that windfarms have an economic impact on tourism in Scotland.
Professor Cara Aitchison of Edinburgh University said opposition to the developments on tourism grounds was “informed more by fear than fact” and tended to melt away after turbines were erected.
The academic, head of the university’s school of education, has submitted a report to Holyrood’s economy, energy and tourism committee, which is conducting an inquiry into renewable energy.
US businessman Donald Trump, who is opposed to a wind energy test centre planned for Aberdeen Bay along the coast from his golf resort near Balmedie, appeared before the committee yesterday and claimed developments would “destroy” tourism.
In her report, Prof Aitchison highlighted a poll conducted by Mori in 2002 which showed 95% of visitors would not be discouraged by windfarms and a survey carried out by Glasgow Caledonian University in 2008 which found 99% of people would not be put off.
She wrote: “All of the studies that have sought to predict impact have demonstrated that any negative impact of windfarms on tourism will be more than outweighed by the increase in tourists that are attracted by windfarms. The tourism business is dynamic and self-generating such that when a particular type of tourist ceases to visit an area they are frequently replaced by a different type of tourist.”
Committee convener Murdo Fraser said he was sceptical about the findings. “We continue to get conflicting opinion of the effects of renewables and tourism,” he added.
“Given the number of wind turbines will treble over the next few years there is no doubt the landscape will be substantially altered.”