As the Edinburgh Festivals get into full swing this weekend (8-9 August), VisitScotland is celebrating the impact the annual showcase of the best of music, arts and culture has on the tourism industry.
Latest statistics reveal that domestic visitor numbers to Scotland’s capital increase by two thirds during peak festival season. On average, 290,000 domestic visitor trips are made to Edinburgh in August compared with 186,000 in July with overnight domestic visitors boosting the economy by £73 million.
International visitors also make an average of 174,000 holiday trips to Edinburgh and the Lothians in August, contributing £63 million in expenditure.
Edinburgh Festivals Survival Guide 2015
The national tourism organisation has produced a freeGuide(see link below)to ensure visitors and residents enjoy all the capital city has to offer during its busiest month of the year. From shows to see, to food to eat, to information on how to “do the festivals on a budget”, the guide is available to download at VisitScotland.com
In August, the capital plays host to the Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh International Festival Fringe, Edinburgh International Book Festival, Edinburgh Mela, Edinburgh Art Festival and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Collectively, Edinburgh’s Festivals are a world-leading cultural brand and represent 12 festivals throughout the year. They are recognised as signature events in the national events strategy which attract an audience of more than 4.2 million and are worth £261 million to Scotland’s economy (£245 million to the local economy).
Edinburgh’s Festivals peak during August, when more than 25,000 artists, entertainers and thinkers populate the city with over 1,000 shows per day.
To download VisitScotland’s Free Edinburgh Festivals Survival Guide 2015 click here
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