Festival fankle
The director of the Edinburgh International Festival has signalled a major change in direction for the city’s annual cultural celebration when it returns in 2021 – admitting that it had to move away from “neverending growth” and reconnect with the people of the city.
I live and work in Edinburgh in hospitality – and tourism is needed and appreciated to allow employment and subsequent investment and development. Not over-tourism and overcommercialism, but tourism is vital to the economy. That injection of cash allows, for example, a refurbishment of a restaurant or bar that then employs the skills of joiners, tilers, local architects, designers, upholsterers etc. Without these spikes in income, this investment wouldn’t be justifiable or affordable. The margins aren’t there any more! In addition, I love visiting Scotland and am a tourist in my own country several times a year – we must not forget domestic tourism and consider it unsavoury. It will be the life blood to recovery for the entire country.
Louise Maclean Wow, the timing of the festival chief is beyond belief. He should zip it at least until the lockdown is over. In case you haven’t heard, people are dying, losing jobs, the USA is imploding.
Hunter Bruce
Well, let’s see how many airlines are still around in 18 months time and how much it will cost those that are still flying; plus a world recession. This could have the same effect as 9/11 rolled into a 2008 crash. People decide not to travel. But there you go, it’ll make some locals happy. Careful what you wish for.
David Barr
Yes, about time to limit and control everything, from this to bus tours to the Highlands and every corner so that local and Scottish-born citizens can also enjoy their own country without being overwhelmed by tourists or it becoming a logistical nightmare just to go for a quiet day out at the weekend.
Colin Robertson Quality over quantity is what is needed regarding both the international festival and Christmas market. Sadly I never visit anything to do with the festivals now or venture up Princes Street during festival times as it is so busy it is unenjoyable. Even the tourists must feel that too. Yes we need tourism, yes we need our festivals but it must be of high quality and controlled. Bigger is not always better. Let the festivals, council, businesses and city centre residents work together on how to lessen the impact on the city, not destroy it by greed of big businesses. The tourists will still come as Edinburgh is so much more than just the festivals (even tourists don’t like to be ripped off ). This year will be hard but let’s not waste it by sitting idle, it’s a perfect time to work together, even distantly, and sort the issues out that desperately need listened to and implemented. Next year we have the chance