Festivals, infrastructure and how we use our public space. We need proactivity now to encourage residents and local visitors back, and that means shouting out loud about what our city has to offer to people across Edinburgh, Scotland, and the UK. When people can travel, we want them to be offered Edinburgh as a fantastic destination, it is in its own right, as well as being the gateway to the rest of the country. At present we are continuing to increase our available stock of hotel rooms in the city including a number of top end operators as well as mid-level ones. These new developments, along with others in the pipeline, need tourists as well as residents to sustain them. The city is currently reviewing its economic strategy and the critical importance of this sector to the city needs to be placed front and centre. Inward
investment, jobs, infrastructure development, the reimaging of space including some heritage sites and the sustainability and growth of many local businesses depend on it. I am constantly frustrated by the negativity of many to this crucial sector. Of course, we must behave more responsibly, be more sustainable and work closely with key interest, resident, and business groups but what we can’t do is simply believe tourists and events are detrimental to the city. They add vibrancy, excitement and diversity to our city and enhance our standing around the world. We surely don’t want to keep our city to ourselves, we want to share it with the world. The last few months have seen the city start to come alive again and it has been fantastic to see the city centre busy again, people with smiles on their faces and shopping bags in their hands. Footfall has been positive
throughout the city centre and although below 2019 levels, we are operating without international visitors. August will again see the festivals return, and although these will be smaller than normal it is testament to the determination and initiative of the organisers that they will be happening. Their importance to our city can never be taken for granted and is to be championed and embraced. I am hugely optimistic about the future of our city centre, but change is not always easy to accept or adapt to. To maximise this opportunity will need the collective support of local and national government, the cultural and business community, resident groups and every single person or group who has an interest in the city’s economic recovery.
August/September 2021 BC
21
