*S5M-12400 Liam McArthur: Increase in Tourism Numbers to Orkney That the Parliament — notes the increase in the number of tourists visiting Orkney, with 174,273 visits being made in 2017; recognises that this was worth around £49.5 million to the islands' economy; believes that, compared with 2013, when 142,816 visitors boosted the economy by £31.1 million, this represents a substantial increase; acknowledges the findings of a survey that was commissioned by Orkney Islands Council and VisitScotland, which stated that the main reasons for visitors coming to stunning scenery and world-class historical sites; Orkney in such large numbers were the islands’ understands that such large and growing numbers of visitors bring the challenge of investing in the islands’ infrastructure and the need to carefully manage the tourist experience, but looks forward s continuing success in demonstrating why it has been described to what it believes will be Orkney’ s treasure chest of attractions". as a "glittering centrepiece in Scotland’ Supported by: Rachael Hamilton*, Stuart McMillan*, Mike Rumbles*, John Finnie*, Edward Mountain*, Donald Cameron*, David Torrance*, Alex Rowley*, Jamie Halcro Johnston*, Rona Mackay* *S5M-12399 Bill Bowman: Gill Howie from Arbroath Awarded the Beedle Trophy That the — Parliament congratulates Gill Howie, who is a businesswoman from Arbroath, on receiving the Beedle Trophy at the 71st annual reunion of the 43 (F) Squadron in London in recognition of her work over many years with this elite squadron, the RAF and their associated charities; notes that the trophy was presented by Air Chief Marshal Sir Simon Bryant, who is a former Commander...