VisitScotland has announced it will close its 25 information centres over the next two years as part of a new strategy to influence tourists in the planning stage of their trip.
The organisation said most visitors now used online resources and specialists for research and bookings.
There will be no compulsory redundancies as a result of the shift to a “digital first” strategy.
The iCentres will operate as usual until the end of September.
VisitScotland said it was currently engaging with stakeholders to discuss local arrangements ahead of a phased two-year closure programme.
But the UK government criticised the decision and urged the Scottish government to reconsider its plans.
The move follows the closure of 39 tourist offices between 2017 and 2019.
Staff affected by the latest announcement have been offered a range of options including reskilling, redeployment and voluntary redundancy.
VisitScotland chairman Lord Thurso said research had shown it…