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Meeting at Argyllshire Gathering Halls, Breadalbane Street @ 1600

Notes taken by Tony Hill

The meeting was well attended but the atmosphere was depressing. The main thrust from the floor was that we are in crisis for 2009. The Council certainly felt predictions of visitor numbers were "disastrous" (likewise some hotel owners) whilst many with self-catering properties felt it was going to be a good year.

Statistics indicate that 74% of people staying in Oban stay for only one night so can we make them stay longer? This is a fair point.

As far as promoting Oban goes, the representative from Pure Shores did not appear to have done her homework even though she is a consultant to Argyll & Bute Council. There were hints at an event based tourism business, e.g. one big night that brings in loads of visitors at a time.

The Council agreed the town needed tidying up and said they would act upon this. People wanted to know what could be done before Easter, only five weeks away? Would the Council provide a list of actions? Let's face it, it's not rocket science and we all have to organise our own schedules in this way, so why not the Council?

The meeting was 2½ hours with more likely to follow.