NEWS
Could 'No' vote serve as a further boost for Scottish tourism?
POSTED 23 Sep 2014 . BY Chris Dodd
Scotland's heritage offerings are a major driver of tourism Credit: Shutterstock.com/Heartland Arts
Holiday bookings from England to Scotland increased by four per cent in the immediate aftermath of the 55 per cent to 45 per cent referendum vote against independence, according to travel comparison and booking site GoEuro.

The positive spike in UK-related bookings follows a pre-vote study from trivago.co.uk, which found that hotel searches to Scotland from England, Wales and Northern Ireland made between 1 August and 15 September this year dropped by 29 percent compared to the same period in 2013.

Scotland's tourism economy is also hoping to gain from the coming Ryder Cup tournament at Gleneagles, following on from impressive gains influenced by the hosting of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Prior to the confirmed 'No' vote, delegates from Scotland’s tourism industry voted against independence in a mock vote, with 59 per cent saying they would be voting 'No', while just 32 per cent said 'Yes' and a further 9 per cent were undecided when the event took place at the Scottish Tourism Alliance’s (STA) annual summit.

Once the referendum decision was confirmed last week, UK travel association ABTA was quick to welcome the stability brought from by the 'No' vote, but noted there are still industry issues that need to be addressed.

"The 'No' vote brings to a close a protracted period of uncertainty, and means that travel companies and their customers can continue with the current regulatory and business systems," said the statement.

"Some of the travel issues raised during the independence debate, such as Air Passenger Duty and consumer protection, remain live issues, and ABTA will continue to engage with these on behalf of its members in Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom."
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  'Brand Britain' essential to Scottish tourism, says former chancellor Alistair Darling


Being a part of 'Brand Britain' is essential for Scotland’s tourism sector, according to Labour MP and current representative for Edinburgh South West Alistair Darling.
  Scottish tourism body creates sector-wide online training portal


An online training portal aimed at those working in Lanarkshire’s tourism and hospitality industry has launched today (19 May), designed to provide education on the value of the sector and ensure its visitors receive the high levels of service.
  STA members overwhelmingly vote 'no' to Scottish independence


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23 Sep 2014

Could 'No' vote serve as a further boost for Scottish tourism?
BY Chris Dodd

Scotland's heritage offerings are a major driver of tourism

Scotland's heritage offerings are a major driver of tourism
photo: Shutterstock.com/Heartland Arts

Holiday bookings from England to Scotland increased by four per cent in the immediate aftermath of the 55 per cent to 45 per cent referendum vote against independence, according to travel comparison and booking site GoEuro.

The positive spike in UK-related bookings follows a pre-vote study from trivago.co.uk, which found that hotel searches to Scotland from England, Wales and Northern Ireland made between 1 August and 15 September this year dropped by 29 percent compared to the same period in 2013.

Scotland's tourism economy is also hoping to gain from the coming Ryder Cup tournament at Gleneagles, following on from impressive gains influenced by the hosting of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Prior to the confirmed 'No' vote, delegates from Scotland’s tourism industry voted against independence in a mock vote, with 59 per cent saying they would be voting 'No', while just 32 per cent said 'Yes' and a further 9 per cent were undecided when the event took place at the Scottish Tourism Alliance’s (STA) annual summit.

Once the referendum decision was confirmed last week, UK travel association ABTA was quick to welcome the stability brought from by the 'No' vote, but noted there are still industry issues that need to be addressed.

"The 'No' vote brings to a close a protracted period of uncertainty, and means that travel companies and their customers can continue with the current regulatory and business systems," said the statement.

"Some of the travel issues raised during the independence debate, such as Air Passenger Duty and consumer protection, remain live issues, and ABTA will continue to engage with these on behalf of its members in Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom."



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