Tourism bosses say the sector is "resilient" in the face of rising costs of doing business across Helensburgh and Lomond.

David Adams McGilp, VisitScotland regional director, said there were "fresh challenges" on top of the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

But he said the tourism body was working to create demand for bookings from both domestic and international visitors.

He said: "The rise in the cost of doing business is having a significant impact on the industry, as well as ongoing issues with staff recruitment and retention.

“At VisitScotland, we continue to work with partners in our tourism and events industry on promoting activity that extends the season and ensuring Scotland and our region remains front of mind for potential visitors.

“It has been fantastic to see the return of domestic and international visitors to our region this year and we want to see this continue.

"We’re prioritising activities that will stimulate demand and new bookings for the industry to support its long-term recovery.

“Our revamped guidebook, Set in Scotland, has also just been launched and features some of the locations in Argyll & Isles to have made it to the big screen, including Ring of Bright Water, Castle Stalker in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Rest and be Thankful in Restless Natives, Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull in Entrapment and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom featuring the Glen Mallan Jetty at Loch Long in Arrochar."

Mr Adams McGilp they recently launched a "Great Days Out" campaign with Association of Scotland’s Visitor Attractions (ASVA) and Historic Environment Scotland. The push encourages visitors to take advantage of discountated rates and mini breaks across Helensburgh, Loch Lomond, Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Isles.

He continued: “Scotland’s UNESCO Trail is being promoted with the launch of a dedicated VisitScotland marketing campaign.

"The campaign, aimed at potential visitors from the UK and Ireland, Germany and France, will encourage them to discover more about the country’s 13 place-based designations, including Frontiers of the Roman Empire, The Antonine Wall.

“We recently launched a brand-new trail and map exploring Scotland's tales of witchcraft to mark our Year of Stories 2022, featuring Loch Awe and Kilchurn Castle, which is said to be haunted by the witch of Ben Cruachan.

"As part of our Spirit of the Highlands and Islands campaign, influencer and blogger Foraged by Fern explored Argyll and the Isles with a packed four-day itinerary.

"Our priority for the coming years is on developing marine and coastal tourism to increase capacity and enhance the visitor experience. Significant capital investment projects in the pipeline include Dunoon, Rothesay and Oban, part of Rural Growth Deal and United Kingdom Levelling Up fund activity.

“We are here at VisitScotland to help support our tourism industry navigate the challenges ahead of them.

“By working together, we can ensure the long-term responsible recovery of one of Scotland’s most valuable industries.”