Knock-on effect!

As Scotland’s first RBS 6 Nations home game approaches, VisitScotland is looking forward to welcoming the multi million pound tourism benefits that comes from hosting three rounds of one of the most exciting rugby tournaments in the world.

With home matches at BT Murrayfield taking place on Sunday 15 February (Wales), Saturday 28 February (Italy) and Saturday 21 March (Ireland), Scotland is set to welcome thousands of travelling home and away fans.

An RBS report conducted in February 2014 found that in a typical season, visitors to Edinburgh for RBS 6 Nations matches generated £52 million of revenue for Scotland’s economy, £30 million of which was for Edinburgh’s economy.

The research shows that £35 million (£24 million in Edinburgh) comes from spending by visitors who attend the matches and their family and friends who accompany them to Edinburgh. An incredible £17 million (£6 million in Edinburgh) comes from the knock on effects, such as spending by hotels, restaurants and bars.

And with Scottish Rugby selling-out BT Murrayfield in just two weeks for the Ireland fixture and a record crowd expected for a game featuring Italy later this month, the financial impact will be even higher in 2015. In 2014 over 600,000 people went through the turnstiles of BT Murrayfield alone, with more expected this year.

VisitScotland research shows that travelling to Scotland for a sporting event is a popular activity. In 2013, 700,000 nights were spent in Scotland by domestic visitors attending/watching a sporting event, resulting in £59 million for the Scottish economy.

Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland said:

“With our proud rugby heritage, RBS 6 Nations weekends are always special, creating a friendly, busy and exciting atmosphere in Edinburgh and indeed across Scotland that is brilliant to see.

“Huge sporting events like this don’t just provide entertainment, they represent a multi-million pound opportunity to boost jobs as well as deliver cultural and social benefits. As last year’s hugely successful Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and Ryder Cup in Gleneagles showed, sport really is accessible to all and the opportunities for businesses across the country are endless. From the taxi drivers and food vendors to the busy hotels, bars, shops, and restaurants, tourism is there at the heart of it all, inspiring visitors year on year.

“We look forward to seeing the city come alive with rugby fans and hope many extend their stay to experience the Scotland that lies beyond the pitch! Good luck to all.”

VisitScotland has a designated section on visitscotland.com which aims to inspire visitors to attend an exciting calendar of rugby showcase events. It is hoped that fans from Wales, Italy and Ireland, as well as domestic fans, will take the time to explore the incredible range of things to see and do in and around Edinburgh and Scotland during their stay.

Dominic McKay, Scottish Rugby’s Director of Commercial Operations, Communications and Public Affairs said:

“This Scotland team is really connecting with rugby fans and that is reflected in the record levels of interest we are seeing in ticket demand for matches at BT Murrayfield. The economic benefits rugby generates throughout the RBS 6 Nations, and the weekly fixtures of our pro teams in Edinburgh and Glasgow, mean we can invest even more money each year into grassroots rugby across the country to grow the game for the future.”

Sharon Norris, Area Sales & Events Manager – Edinburgh at G1 group, who manage venues like The Three Sisters and Ghillie Dhu, said:

“We’re always well prepared for the RBS 6 nations with decorating done well in advance. All our venues are kitted out with nation flags - some even have their own set of goal posts outside. Every year the 6 nations just gets better and better and the atmosphere across the city is absolutely incredible!”

In November 2014, as Scotland prepared to take on New Zealand in the viagogo Autumn Tests, VisitScotland in collaboration with the Mitchell Library in Glasgow, conducted ancestral research into the captain of the All Blacks Richie McCaw and found that he has links to Ayrshire through his great great great grandfather, Alexander McCaw. It was found that Alexander McCaw, Richie’s great great great grandfather, a farmer, was born in Girvan, Ayrshire on January 1 1808, and emigrated to New Zealand in 1877.