Tourism is one of Scotland's biggest industries and is "the face" of the nation to many visitors. Much that is happening is good; however, "must do better" is the assessment of HotelReviewScotland.com. We operate the most-read hotel guide and host the country's national hotel awards.

Here, we are merely messengers. I can report a lack of enthusiasm for VisitScotland/STB as currently organised, and also that the controversial, privately-owned VisitScotland. com website is breathtakingly unpopular in many key sectors of the hotel industry. It is promoted to the exclusion of other valuable websites and is therefore anti-competitive.

Our website, for example, a fast-expanding alternative to the accommodation "section" of VisitScotland. com, requires no taxpayer subsidy and no commission from hotels on bookings - which drives up rates, making Scots hotels pricier.

Much of the current dissatisfaction with tourism policy is the result of eight years' Labour-LibDem government and their ever-breeding quangos. I believe that placing tourism at the heart of a top-level Enterprise Department makes sense. Jim Mather, Enterprise Minister if the SNP wins, impresses: his plans to focus on marketing and lightening the regulatory touch sound right.

Leadership is required: the feeling that if there were problems - like those now distancing many of our hotel businesses from the national tourism body - passion and action would find solutions.

I will support Mr Salmond and the SNP on May 3.

Gary McLean, CEO, HotelReviewScotland.com.