Business tourism is flourishing in Scotland’s capital city as the global economy continues to battle the impact of the worst recession for half a century. Figures released by the Edinburgh Convention Bureau (ECB) for the first half of the year show it’s on track to achieve its target of helping secure conferences worth £73.9 million to the city’s economy. The value of events won or influenced by the ECB between April and the beginning of October is £42.6 million.Included in the figures released are 11 new events (confirmed between 15 September and 9 October) which will deliver £9.5million into the economy.
These most recently confirmed conferences will attract up to 6,600 high spending delegates to the city.
Three of the events are each worth in excess of £1million and underline Edinburgh’s standing as a global centre of excellence in the fields of science and medicine. They are:
- Quadrennial Congress of European Society of Plastic Constructive Aesthetic Surgeons worth £1,965,000 million with 900 delegates. It will run from the 11th-16th May 2014. Venue: Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC)
- Eurotox 2014 worth £1,747,000 attracting 1200 delegates. It will be held from 7th-9th September 2014. Venue: EICC
- International Conference on Neutron Scattering worth £1,456,000 with 800 delegates. It will run from 8th-12th July 2013. Venue: EICC
Commenting on the performance of Edinburgh as a business tourism destination, Sue Stuart, Chief Executive of ECB, said: "These results show that business tourism is holding up in a very difficult and increasingly competitive environment. We are in a position to announce some significant events to be hosted by the city, once again exhibiting its standing as a global destination. The nature of the new events demonstrates the importance of Edinburgh and Scotland’s reputation as a centre of excellence in the fields of science and medicine.”
She added: “Overall we are delighted to be in a position that places us in line to achieve our business target for the year which was set higher than the £73.5million we delivered last year. However with increasing competition at home and abroad we can’t be complacent and will have to continue to work hard to emulate our success of last year.”
Professor Keith McEwen of University College London, is one of the ECB’s Edinburgh Ambassadors who are supported by the bureau in their bid to bring their professional conference to Edinburgh, led the process to win the International Neutron Scattering conference.
He explained why the city had been successful: “Edinburgh’s success was due to several key factors. Edinburgh is an experienced conference location, and is an extremely attractive venue for the participants, the majority of whom will come from overseas. The Edinburgh International Conference Centre is ideally suited for hosting the conference, with upwards of 800 participants expected. The excellent choice of nearby hotels and the availability of the University’s Pollock Halls for the many young scientists who will participate was a key factor. The Edinburgh Convention Bureau supported me at all stages throughout the preparation of our bid, and I know that their continued support will be essential in making the conference a success.” Tatiana Rokou - Tuesday, October 20, 2009