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Browse the impact assessments we're obliged to carry out.

In Scotland, public bodies (including VisitScotland) are required to assess, consult, or monitor the likely impacts their plans, programmes, and strategies will have on island communities and equalities.

This page contains the impact assessments we have completed.

Equalities Impact Assessment (EQIA)

An EQIA aims to consider how a policy (a policy can cover: activities, functions, strategies, programmes, and services or processes) may impact, either positively or negatively, on different sectors of the population in different ways.

The Equality Act 2010 requires public authorities to pay due regard to the need to:

  • eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation or any other prohibited conduct
  • advance equality of opportunity
  • foster good relations between different groups – by tackling prejudice and promoting understanding

In 2012 Scottish Ministers made regulations that placed specific duties on Scottish public bodies. These include a requirement to assess the impact of new policies or practices.

This page contains any equalities impact assessment undertaken by VisitScotland.

Island Communities Impact Assessments

In Scotland public bodies must carry out an Island Communities Impact Assessment when developing, revising and delivering any policy, strategy or service that could have a significantly different effect on island communities.

VisitScotland is required to consider island communities when carrying out its functions under the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018.

While our island communities are different from each other, they often face challenges compared to mainland and urban areas due to distance, geography, connectivity, and demography. This might result in unforeseen issues or barriers, which unfairly disadvantage islanders.

This page contains any island impact assessment undertaken by VisitScotland. 

Retiral of the VisitScotland Quality Assurance schemes

Published April 2024

Closure of VisitScotland iCentres

Published March 2024

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