Do windfarms harm tourism?
There is very little research on the impacts of off-shore wind farms on tourism, and only limited research on impacts of onshore windfarms. This is clearly a significant lack of data. Some windfarms have associated visitor centres and so can provide additional tourist attractions which, if owned and operated locally could represent an expansion of local tourism industry. Whether this would compensate for losses of income to existing businesses as a result of impact on tourist numbers, is not clear. What is clear is that the Array will greatly alter the existing views of and from Tiree, and that most tourists visiting Tiree rate the views as one of the main reasons for coming here. Some windfarm plans have been refused in other countries for their potential to harm coastal tourism.
