Fringe benefits

The Scotsman reports on calls for local residents to receive discounts on festival tickets to compensate for the “increased inconvenience” of heavy tourism throughout the month of August (29 August).

Although, as Miles Briggs Msp highlighted, retaining the goodwill of residents is important, I fear the benefits of the festival season to our local economy are being underplayed. As a business owner

dependent on a vibrant economy, it is my firm belief that the city must do all it can to retain and attract global businesses to our capital. Without doubt, part of what draws organisations to Edinburgh is its rich cultural diversity that makes people want to live and work here.

Only this week, Keith

Skeoch, CEO of Standard Life Aberdeen, referenced Edinburgh’s diverse cultural offering, high standards of education and good transport links as fundamentals in attracting high quality staff from across the globe.

Whilst the festivals last for a few weeks of the year, the impact of the publicity that

they generate for our city is felt year-round.

The prospect of cheaper tickets is certainly appealing but highlighting the value rather than the inconvenience of the festivals should be much higher on the agenda.

JUDITH O’LEARY Managing Director, Represent,

Calton Road, Edinburgh