Making the case for tourism infrastructure investment in Oban

Oban Bay Public Realm Casemaking

Oban is the main service centre for the Scottish West Highlands. Argyll and Bute Council, responsible for Oban, chose our team to prepare an economic and social impact assessment of an iconic maritime visitor facility and two related projects to determine if investing in those projects would improve tourism and the local economy.  

We assessed the area’s labour market and visitor economy using logic models and a SWOT analysis to articulate the relationship between the proposed infrastructure and potential visitors. We also prepared an impact model with a weather index that aligned with visitor patterns and considered the economic impact of festivals and events.

The detail provided by our assessments helped Argyll and Bute move forward with the projects. Now, thanks to our casemaking and assessments, the public space overlooking Oban’s Bay has been transformed into a vibrant tourist hub.