Latest news with #Swiftonomics
Scotsman
26-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
VisitScotland's new vision as economic growth agency
Change, it is said, is the only constant. That is as true in tourism as it is in life. Here at VisitScotland we have a new vision as an economic growth agency under the direction of CEO Vicki Miller, pictured. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... For tourism is more than simply going on holiday. Coupled with events, it is vitally important to Scotland's national and local economies. In 2023, international and domestic visitor spend was more than £2.2 billion in Edinburgh. One in ten businesses across the city were tourism related and employed 41,000 people. VisitScotland has a new vision as an economic growth agency under the direction of CEO Vicki Miller Our new corporate plan details our key priorities over the next three years – to drive the visitor economy, growing its value in a sustainable way that benefits not just visitors to the region but also the people who live and work here. It comes in the wake of 12 months of milestones across the city and region. Taylor Swift brought the headlines with her Swiftonomics record-breaking concerts at Murrayfield (we await the return of the Gallagher brothers in August). We saw the opening of major investments, such as Lost Shore and Edinburgh Gin, which will provide employment and create work for local businesses and service providers, and the recent announcement that the Grand Départ of the Tour de France is coming to Edinburgh. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad All of this is important in developing and sustaining the visitor economy – the term used to describe everything that benefits from visitors, including hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport, retail and events. The formal announcement by Edinburgh City Council to implement a visitor levy for overnight stays in the city from summer 2026 was made as part of its sustainable approach to the visitor economy, ensuring it benefits visitors, businesses, residents and communities. Aligned with Edinburgh's 2030 Tourism Strategy, it contributes to the development of the region. Place development is one of VisitScotland's three new priorities, alongside market development, and business and experience development. It's been a privilege to work with partners across the bordering local authorities as part of Edinburgh and South East Scotland's regional economic strategy, delivering specific projects focussing on cultural tourism, cycling tourism and opportunities around the Forth. Our newly launched business support hub will also help the industry to adapt to the ever-changing tourism sector. Market development means growing and diversifying Scotland's reach in key international and domestic markets. The cost of living continues to impact UK visitors, which has been a challenge for the industry. Our recent Great Days Out marketing push aimed at softening that impact by encouraging more day visits by Scots. In contrast, international markets are buoyant, helped by air routes opening, and returning, from the USA, Canada and China. With 50 per cent of overseas visitors booking their trips through tour operators, travel advisors and travel agents, the travel trade remains vital to our work with Scottish businesses – including VisitScotland Connect – to ensure there are holiday packages and experiences that visitors want across the year. For change is not the only constant. So too is our ongoing work to make Scotland a sustainable tourism destination that benefits all. Neil Christison is Regional Director for Edinburgh, East Lothian, West Lothian and Midlothian at VisitScotland
Reuters
16-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
China's economy, deportation, Pentagon, French prisons and millennial saint
China Q1 GDP has outstripped expectations, but analysts fear momentum could shift sharply lower as U.S. tariffs hit. One of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's leading advisers has been escorted from the Pentagon as part of an investigation into leaks. A judge has demanded officials provide answers under oath about the return of a man wrongly deported from the U.S. to El Salvador. Prisons in France have been targeted with arson and gun attacks. And the boy about to be proclaimed the Catholic Church's first saint of the millennial generation. Find our recommended read on the smugglers caught trying to transport thousands of live ants out of Kenya here. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter here. Find the latest Reuters Econ World podcast here. Reuters Econ World has been nominated for a Webby Award in two categories for our "Swiftonomics" episode. If you like what you hear please vote for us here and here. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit to opt out of targeted advertising. Further Reading Exclusive: Nvidia kept some China customers in the dark about new US chip clampdown, sources say India offers cheap loans for arms, targeting Russia's traditional customers Canadian universities report jump in US applicants as Trump cuts funding After Harvard rejects US demands, Trump adds new threat Further Listening
Reuters
15-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Harvard, deportations, American gas and basketball in Europe
Harvard is hit with a $2.3 billion funding freeze after rejecting demands from the Trump administration. El Salvador President Nayib Bukele says he has no plans to return a man mistakenly deported from the United States. Plus, Europe faces an energy security dilemma and an eager NBA. Find our recommended read on Russia and North Korea here. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter here. Find the latest Reuters Econ World podcast here. Reuters Econ World has been nominated for a Webby Award in two categories for our "Swiftonomics" episode. If you like what you hear please vote for us here and here. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit to opt out of targeted advertising. Further Reading Harvard rejects Trump demands, gets hit by $2.3 billion funding freeze El Salvador's Bukele says he will not return man the US mistakenly deported Argentina's peso: where's the currency headed after FX regime overhaul? NBA sees sport's growth lagging behind potential in Europe Back to Russian gas? Trump-wary EU has energy security dilemma Further listening Trump vs the Universities
