Well Rounded View
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Summer in Scotland
by James Thomson OBE
Tourism is Scotland’s most important industry, injecting over £4billion annually into the Scottish economy. Employing around 200,000 people and 20,000 businesses, tourism also has a major impact on many other diverse businesses including the legal profession, accountants, bankers, stocktakers, printers, photographers, electricians, plumbers, architects, IT designers, florists, taxi drivers and many more.
Whilst the recession has undoubtedly taken its toll on our industry, there is a cautious optimism within the Scottish tourism industry at the moment. Many businesses have reported their best Easter trading period and visitor attractions across Scotland are currently reporting increases of between 8-10% for April and May, compared to last year’s numbers.
The weak pound has resulted in an increase of US and European visitors as well as some new trends appearing. The concept of the ‘staycation’ has received a lot of media coverage recently with UK residents deciding to holiday within Britain, rather than facing the inflated prices abroad caused by the weak pound.
Scotland has always attracted a huge number of visitors from south of the border and initial signs are showing that this has increased greatly this year. Many Scots too have decided to explore their native land and even with those who do choose to travel abroad, more and more are also taking short breaks within their homeland.
This year we are also benefiting from ‘Homecoming Scotland 2009’, a Scottish Government initiative in partnership with VisitScotland. Inspired by the Robert Burns 250th Anniversary, over 200,000 ex pat Scots and people with Scottish ancestry around the world received a message from First Minister Alex Salmond, encouraging them to come to Scotland in 2009. A programme of over 300 events is being held throughout Scotland and a ‘Homecoming pass’ allows huge savings and access to 135 of Scotland’s most spectacular properties. Homecoming activity peaks in July with ‘The Gathering’ in Holyrood Park, but this is a year long promotion and has already brought in some of world’s most influential business leaders to events such as the Forbes CEO forum which took place recently at the Gleneagles Hotel and was previously held in New York, Paris and Sydney, with representatives flying in from 18 countries. The theme of this year’s conference was ‘The Global Innovation Machine; Fuelling New Growth in Tough Times’ and delegates discussed topics including the global economy, emerging economies and climate change.
For International visitors, as well as those taking ‘staycations’, there has never been a better time to get great value whilst visiting Scotland. The global economic downturn has forced all tourism businesses to have a good look at what they are offering and has encouraged them to add better value to their visitor experiences and improve their marketing. This has resulted in many great offers being available at every level within the Scottish tourism industry, from five star hotels to country cottages and B&Bs as well as many really exciting things to do.
There are over 70 Highland Games happening this year alone, from Cowal to Tomintoul, and almost every type of festival imaginable including Rock, Piping, Whisky, Food, Film, Comedy, Jazz, Poetry, even porridge making, to name but a few. Add to this some of the most challenging and beautiful golf courses in the World (don’t forget about The Open at Turnberry), some of the best fishing, cycling, adventure sports, walking, scenery, wildlife, great people and the promise of the best summer weather in years. It can only be a recipe for success.
Enjoy your Summer in Scotland!
James Thomson OBE
View James Thomson's biography
View details of Tods Murray's Hospitality and Leisure team
Details of James Thomson's entire collection of exceptional venues can be found online at www.edinburghsbestrestaurants.com
They are:
The Witchery by the Castle:
Almost as famous as the Castle itself. Harpers & Queen For swing-from-the-chandeliers chic check into hip hotelier James Thomson’s the Witchery by the Castle with its baroque style rooms or his recently reworked Prestonfield. GQ Travel Guide 2007. Witchery Reservations +44 (0) 131 225 5613 http://www.thewitchery.com/
Prestonfield:
Edinburgh’s only hotel with 5 Red Stars The AA 2007. Edinburgh's most exciting hotel...exudes opulent individual style that is unrivalled anywhere else in the city. Time Out. Prestonfield Reservations + 44 (0) 131 225 7800 http://www.prestonfield.com/
The Tower Restaurant:
Edinburgh’s first and finest rooftop restaurant. Uniquely for a museum this has become the hottest table in Edinburgh. AA Gill, the Sunday Times This stylish offering from James Thomson of the renowned Witchery by the Castle is elegantly perched atop the Museum of Scotland and has spawned many imitators. It’s a popular, informal, star-studded enterprise. The Independent. Tower Reservations +44 (0) 131 225 3003 http://www.tower-restaurant.com/
Contact Richard Findlay - Head of the Tods Murray Hospitality and Leisure team