Scandinavian invasion creates visitor boom for Glasgow and Edinburgh’s leading budget hotels
Thousands of visitors from Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark are flocking to Scotland in search of a bargain.
Scotland’s low prices compared to Scandinavia, coupled with Glasgow and Edinburgh’s strong international reputation for shopping appears, to be the biggest draw for the recent influx of Nordic tourists.
”In the last couple of months the number of bookings we have been getting from Scandinavians has gone through the roof,” said Shahid Chaudhry, director of McLays Guest House in Glasgow and the The Osbourne in Edinburgh, two of Scotland’s leading independent budget hotels.
”We usually get quite a lot of bookings from Scandinavia but recently it has been going crazy. Some weekends we are almost fully booked and a lot of the rooms are for visitors from Scandinavia."
”Later this month we have a party of more than 100 booked in to McLays Guest House in Glasgow from Norway alone.”
Mr Chaudhry said that while other nationalities were still well represented in the spread of overseas visitors using McLays and The Osbourne the Scandinavians were the fastest growing sector.
”Most of them coming for anything from two to six days and say they are here for the shopping,” said Mr Chaudhry.
”Many of the men say they are here to watch football or go on the whisky trail visiting distilleries while their wives go shopping in Glasgow or Edinburgh.
”A lot of them think we have better shopping than London as everything is easier to get to and in one place.”
Improved air links between Scotland and Scandinavia along with a targeted marketing campaign by VisitScotland is being credited with much of the sudden increase in tourists.
In 2004 Scotland received 18,000 visitors from Scandinavia but within 12 months the official figure was closer to 131,000 by 2005.
Although the large increase can partly be explained by a change in recording procedures there is no doubt that more Scandinavians are coming to Scotland than ever before.
October 2006
[Back]
For further information please contact: Peppercorn PR on 01436 672218
Notes to Editors:
McLays Guest House at 264/276 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G3 6TT offers 81 spacious rooms, the majority with ensuite facilities, and all with satellite television, telephones and tea and coffee making facilities. Situated in the centre of Glasgow it provides quick and easy access to the city’s cultural, commercial and leisure attractions. More information on McLays Guest House can be found at www.mclays.com
The Osbourne Hotel at 53/59 York Place, Edinburgh EH1 3JD is one of the city’s leading providers of good quality, budget accommodation.
The 19th century Georgian townhouse offers 57 rooms with a choice of Single, Double, Twin and Family occupancy, most with ensuite facilities. All rooms have television, tea and coffee making facilities, telephones and central heating. More information on The Osbourne Hotel can be found at www.osbournehotel.com
|
