Hotels and restaurants in Edinburgh are struggling following the cancelation of the annual Fringe Festival due to Covid19.
HOTEL occupancy is down to 23 per cent compared with 84 per cent the same time last year, according to STR data.
The Edinburgh Hotels Association, which represents 50 of the city’s major hotels is calling for a ‘a huge programme of support from Scottish Government’
The Association’s chair Neil Ellis (also group operations director for Place Hotels) warned that Brits swapping city breaks for the countryside and a slump in inbound tourism was taking its toll at a time when Edinburgh would be overrun with tourists and visitors.
“Hotels are very appreciative of the huge amounts of UK government support thus far but without there being a fully funded, resourced and supported city-wide organisation to spread the word globally, many more jobs will be lost, more businesses will close and visitors will be lured elsewhere where the destination is given the status and support it deserves,” as reported in trade publication The Caterer.
Edinburgh Council is set to launch a new marketing campaign to promote the city later this month.
“I’m very conscious that this has been an unprecedented challenge for the industry, unlike anything we have faced before, and that hotels are keen to see guests return again. Until this time, we’ve been able to support businesses with millions of pounds of grants, flexible licensing for outdoor spaces and transport measures which make it safer and more enjoyable for people to travel around,” said Council leader Adam McVey.
“Our long-term economic recovery must also focus on supporting Edinburgh’s visitor and hospitality appeal to remain strong. Next steps for city marketing will be part of that plan.”
