Edinburgh has been identified as a key destination for business travel in the coming years, with a number of new projects being aimed at boosting the city’s appeal further.
Venues.org.uk reports that Scotland‘s historic capital is ideally positioned within the tourism industry to boost the country’s GDP, leading to an influx of investment into the city. New business venues, retail centres and hotels in Edinburgh are all being planned to persuade more businesses to hold their conferences in the Scottish city.
Speaking to the Scotsman, Edinburgh city council director of city development, Dave Anderson, revealed that plans are already underway to develop St James Quarter in the bustling city centre. The £850 million project aims to improve the area’s retail offerings for shopping trips as well as upmarket hotels and restaurants.
Mr Anderson explained: “New exhibition and events facilities will help improve the city’s offer for business-related tourism.” He also said that existing venues such as the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) will continue to play a major role in the city’s 42 per cent contribution to the Scottish economy.
The EICC opened in 1995 and is Edinburgh’s principal business centre, hosting more than 2,100 events and generating around £245 million for the city over the past fifteen years. An £85 million expansion is set to extend the centre’s banqueting facilities to cater for up to 1,600 delegates, as Edinburgh aims to attract even bigger crowds to its business venues.
