VisitScotland opens a brand new iCentre for the capital city
EDINBURGH, Scotland, 2019-May-23 — /Travel PR News/ — VisitScotland has unveiled its new visitor information centre within the City Chambers on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. VISITORS to Scotland will experience cutting edge information and inspiration as VisitScotland opens a brand new iCentre for the capital city on May 22nd 2019.
The national tourism organisation today unveiled its new visitor information centre within the City Chambers on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.
Located in the heart of the historic Old Town, close to Edinburgh Castle, the national tourism organisation has invested £400,000 to provide a ‘welcoming and attractive’ experience, offering information through a wide variety of tools to ensure visitors experience the best of the city and Scotland as a whole.
The new iCentre will replace the current site operating at the top of Waverley Mall Shopping Centre and will offer high quality face-to-face, printed and digital information to showcase the very best of the city, and the whole of Scotland, to visitors.
Investment in the flagship stand-alone centre is part of a dynamic strategy to respond to changes in the way visitors access information. New technology is a key element of the visitor experience at the Royal Mile site, which is reflected in its dynamic design. While visitors are encouraged to move fluidly around the space and make use of the stand-up desks and ticketing system in place, they can take inspiration from the digital screens displaying locations from across Scotland.
VisitScotland Head of Information Manuela Calchini said: “The move to our new flagship iCentre in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic old town represents is a real opportunity for us to work differently and encourage more interaction with our visitors.
“By re-locating to the heart of the visitor experience on the Royal Mile, our dedicated team of iCentre staff can give information and further inspire many more visitors to see, do and spend more right across the city of Edinburgh, the wider region and Scotland as a whole.
“The way visitors access information has changed significantly over the past decade. This investment comes hand in hand with our focus on new and diverse initiatives to reach as many people as possible with the information they want, in the way they want it, when they want it.”
Councillor Alasdair Rankin, Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The new iCentre is a great addition to the heart of our historic old town offering visitors the information they need to make the most of our internationally renowned Capital city. This lease demonstrates excellent use of a part of the City Chambers that we no longer use while bringing in valuable income which can be used to improve our services.”
Robin Worsnop, Chair of the Edinburgh Tourism Action Group said: “The opening of VisitScotland’s new iCentre on the Royal Mile is a fantastic addition to our capital city and will help ensure that every visitor gets the most out of their trip to Scotland. Situated in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town on the Royal mile, the new visitor centre will showcase the very best of what our city and the wider region has on offer.”
Gordon Robertson, Chairman of Marketing Edinburgh, said: “Edinburgh is the UK’s most popular city destination outside of London, but the job to promote it doesn’t finish when a visitor arrives – it’s an ongoing effort to show the best side of the city we know and love. VisitScotland’s new flagship iCentre plays a key role in that, and we’re excited about the level of accessibility to information it will afford people discovering our city.
“The centre’s new location means it’s both at the centre of historic Edinburgh and at the core of the visitor experience. It will allow people to discover more, access information and book tickets without detouring from exploring one of the most fascinating areas of our city. Marketing Edinburgh looks forward to the role the iCentre will play in helping people make the most of their time in Scotland’s capital city.”
Visitorsto Scotland are benefitting from a significant increase in the number of channels providing content on places to visit and stay, with a mix of industry partners – through the VisitScotland iKnow partner programme, Coo Vans and digital products sitting alongside the Royal Mile iCentre, one of 26 high footfall travel hubs in Scotland.
As well as a team of dedicated staff on hand to help visitors make the most of their visit, additional features, such as inspirational wall graphics, leaflets and maps, are all designed to give a true sense of destination to promote Edinburgh, the wider region and Scotland as a whole. A range of tours, transport and attraction tickets coupled with our Scotland-wide accommodation booking service will enhance the in-destination service. In addition, the iCentre will showcase a collection of unique gifts focussing on Scottish suppliers promoting its Shop Local initiative. Visitors will also be encouraged to top up their own re-fillable water bottles on site.
For more details about visitor information at VisitScotland go to https://www.visitscotland.org/about-us/what-we-do/visitor-information
Notes to Editors
- Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
- VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
- The organisation’s core objective is to contribute to the Tourism 2020 Strategy ambition of growing tourism revenues by £1 billion by 2020.
- This will be supported by five overarching strategies: Marketing, Events, Quality and Sustainability, Inclusive Tourism, International Engagement.
- The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
- Spending by tourists in Scotland generates around £12 billion of economic activity in the wider Scottish supply chain and contributes around £6 billion to Scottish GDP (in basic prices). This represents about 5% of total Scottish GDP
- For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/
- Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
- For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
- For information about business tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com
Scotland’s Themed Years
- Following an industry consultation, the Themed Years will now take place every second year to enable more time for planning and opportunities for collaboration.
- 2020 has been designated as a year in which Scotland’s Coasts and Waters will be showcased and celebrated with a programme of activity designed to support the nation’s tourism and events sectors.
- The year, led by VisitScotland will sustain and build upon the momentum of Scotland’s preceding Themed Years to spotlight, celebrate and promote opportunities to experience and enjoy Scotland’s unrivalled Coasts and Waters, encouraging responsible engagement and participation from the people of Scotland and our visitors.
- A year-long programme of events, activities and ideas will shine a spotlight on the impact our waters have had on Scotland, from the formation of beautiful natural features to the creation of our national drink – whisky.
- Join the conversation using #YCW2020
- 2022 will be the Year of Scotland’s Stories – a celebration of our rich literature, film, oral traditions and myths and legends.
Contact:
Amelia Whittaker
Senior Corporate Press Officer – Regional
amelia.whittaker@visitscotland.com
01750 723806
Contact for media enquiries on:
South Region; Edinburgh and Lothians; Food and Drink; Scottish Thistle Awards
Out of hours – 0131 472 2324
Source: VisitScotland
###