Press release -
WHAT TO SEE AND DO – OUT NOW!
Visitor attractions across Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian will be boosted this year thanks to VisitScotland’s new area guide, featuring Rosslyn Chapel on its front cover.
VisitScotland’s ‘What to see and do’ guide was launched by the national tourism organisation’s Chief Executive, Malcolm Roughead, when he enjoyed a tour of the four star visitor attraction during a recent visit.
Rosslyn Chapel remains a hugely popular visitor attraction pulling in around 145,000 visitors last year. The addition of a visitor centre in 2011 has proven to be of great benefit with plans to develop upon its use and hopes of securing a five star award in the near future.
This year is the first full year that visitors can enjoy the building in its full splendour without scaffolding, following the completion of a major conservation project that began last September.
Around 65,000 copies of the 74 page guide have been printed for distribution to both UK and overseas markets. The A4, full colour glossy pages include sections on attractions and events in the City of Edinburgh, West Lothian, Midlothian and East Lothian and are packed full of useful information and inspiration along with fantastic imagery to encourage people to book a break in the area this Homecoming Scotland year.
Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said;
“I am delighted to launch VisitScotland’s Edinburgh & the Lothians ‘What to see and do guide ‘at Rosslyn Chapel which is a wonderful asset to the area and renowned worldwide. We have a great working relationship with many of the attractions in Edinburgh and the Lothians and we know local tourism bodies work tirelessly to promote everything that is great here and we’re delighted to be able to market this special part of Scotland to a worldwide market.
“This year, Scotland welcomes the world with the Commonwealth Games, Ryder Cup and over 800 Homecoming Scotland events taking place across Scotland and attractions such as Rosslyn Chapel have a crucial role to play in working closely with other businesses in the area and enhancing the overall visitor experience.”
Ian Gardner, Director of Rosslyn Chapel Trust, said;
“Rosslyn Chapel’s 16-year conservation project finished last autumn, so 2014 is the first full year that visitors can enjoy the amazing architecture and external carvings without any scaffolding around the building. I am delighted that VisitScotland chose to use this stunning image, taken by local photographer, Vic Sharp, for the front cover of this important guide to the area and I look forward to welcoming more visitors as a result”.
A digital version of the guide can also be accessed online http://www.visitscotland.com/ebrochures/en/what-to-see-and-do/edinburgh/
Topics
- Tourism
Categories
- corporate communications
Regions
- Scotland
Notes to Editors:
- Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
- VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
- The organisation has three key roles:
- To market Scotland to all parts of the world to attract visitors
- To provide information – and inspiration – to visitors and potential visitors so they get the best out of a visit to Scotland
- To provide quality assurance to visitors and quality advice to the industry and partners to help the industry meet and strive to exceed customer expectations
- VisitScotland works together with tourism businesses to make tourism a success for everyone and ensure the industry continues to grow.
- The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
- 2014 is the year Scotland welcomes the world, when it hosts the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and more than 800 Homecoming events throughout the country.For more information on Homecoming Scotland 2014, go to www.visitscotland.com
- The VisitScotland Information Centre network is a unique face-to-face channel engaging with around five million visitors and locals each year. Everyone who uses a VisitScotland Information Centre goes on to spend an additional £5.35, generating over £24 million for Scotland’s economy.
- According to a recent Deloitte study, tourism employs 270,000 people in Scotland in 20,000 diverse businesses. The same study calculates that the industry contributes £11 billion annually (direct and indirect impact, including day visits) and supports around 10 per cent of employment in Scotland. Almost 16 million tourists take overnight trips to Scotland.
- Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
- For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
- For information about business tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com
- For more information on VisitScotland’s annual review please go to www.visitscotland.org/about_us/our_focus/annual_report.aspx
