To think the Scottish tourism industry is going to be hugely affected by the referendum, whatever the outcome

[Bearbehind]

Just been reading some of the indyref threads and it made me think about the affect on Scottish tourism, mainly from English tourists,

I know it's only one factor in the grand scheme of things but it seems damned to me whatever the result.

There is such an anti English sentiment at the moment I don't think many English people will be rushing up there for a holiday will they?

I'm rather sad about it all today. I rather feel the likes of Donald Dewar would be turning in his grave.

I spoke to my mum this morning and she said the same...

Sadly, tourism IS being affected and there is plenty of evidence for this on the ground. There is a well known tourist attraction near me which has been 30% down this month. It brings in huge numbers of visitors and the cafes, restaurants, shops are also down. This at a time when the economy is beginning to recover and people feel more confident.

Sadly, holidays are about dreams and confidence that you will have a good time. Anyone reading this thread is going to feel - hey, not this year, maybe next, maybe never.

It is going to have an effect. For how long? How much? Don't know. But it will make a difference and it is unlikely to be for the better.

Dunno

Am just trying to book and most of summer 2015 seems to be booked at the places I'mooking at

I live in Scotland and won't be put off holidaying in Scotland. I have always fancied seeing The Black Isle as family go on and on about it a lot.

IrnBru I think you are missing the point slightly! Or am I missing a joke?

The international opinioin of Scotland at the moment seems to be "what the actual fuck are they doing".

Within Scotland, almost all my English friends have reported tales of sniping and anti-English sentiment. If the vote goes through, most will be off. I wish I could join them.

I am deeply ashamed. I think everyone really is forgetting what nationalism means.

My mother is Australian and adores Scotland. This year, we'd planned to go on holidays there while she was visiting; she changed her mind because of the way the referendum campaign is being reported abroad.

So rightly or wrongly, it's having an impact on Scotland's image as 'welcoming'.

I'm with you rooners - irnbru has totally missed the point

oh tourism being effected right now makes sense, I wouldn't want to be in Scotland as an English person this weekend whatever way the vote went - it's going to be too emotional right now.

Whether or not that translates to bookings being down next summer is a different matter. And again, if it's a yes vote, I wouldn't want to book in advance for the first year post independence, possibly a last minute booking, but I'd be worried about the situation changing too rapidly.

In the same way, 2.5 years ago, when we were booking a holiday, we changed our mind about going to Greece as it was just as their economy was on the slide, I just saw us being that family being interviewed on the BBC after being stuck in the airport for 2 days. we are actually planning on going to Greece next summer, so it's not been a 'forever' avoidance, but more if politically/economically/socially a country/region looks unstable, most sensible people will avoid it until things settle back down. And there's no getting around it, politically and socially it's unstable this week, around independence, it'll be politically, economically and possibly socially unstable until changes have happened and everyone's just getting on with it again.

These aren't 'forever' issues, just for now and then for around an actual independence date.

I will say again, i saw many tourists with "yes" badges in town yesterday

How on earth did you know they were tourists?

And it's not really relevant, is it? The backlash has barely started...

Well, a group of them were speaking German and discussing directions to go and see Greyfriars Bobby beside me

I will say again, i saw many tourists with "yes" badges in town yesterday

For the umpteenth time, this isn't about which side German tourists (or anyone) else is on, it's about rUK tourists potentially not going to Scotland because of how it's been portrayed during the referendum.

yes but someone was talking about their Australian relative bear.

Do keep up

Are people in the armed forces able to vote? Someone has just told me that they aren't. This cant be right can it?

The German tourists were obviously soaking up the political atmosphere whilst they were in the country. Anyone would be easily swept up by it in the past few days with all the fantastic rallies that have been going on right across Scotland.

I would probably avoid Scotland for the foreseeable future - there seems to be so much anger and resentment, which could be worse in the event of a No vote. Only from a very vocal minority, yes, but why go somewhere when you know there's a good chance they don't want English visitors?

And in the case of a Yes vote I would still wait to see how things played out. Sadly, the Scottish-English needling is at boiling point between some (much full caps shouting in the tabloid comment sections!) It may need a good while to get over it properly.

Maybe more Scots will holiday at home and it will all balance out.

Honestly, don't worry.

I know fanjo and that exacerbated the potential problem as it seems it isn't just rUK visitors who are opting not to go.

Hard to say how long the lag will be though, Mary. I was quite shocked by my mother's reaction, to be honest. She's not saying 'maybe in a couple of years' - maybe because the coverage hasn't been about economic issues but social attitudes and the people.

Her view may be coloured by the fact that she has an English son-in-law and grandson. But the nastiness of the campaign on general (both sides) has not been portrayed positively in some other countries.

So far today I've spoken to colleagues in Singapore, Germany & France. Last night I spoke to colleagues in the US & also Canada. I specifically asked about how scotland was being portrayed.

They all said it was being reported on as an exciting event and that most have a wee soft spot for scotland & wish us well. A couple have trips planned for next month. So, no negativity there!

I think it depends who you talk to. I have friends in USA/Australia/new Zeland and tgey have a different view to Like

Exactly! So I disagree that tourism will be hugely affected.

So we can conclude that different people will think different things. Shocker.

Moving on?

My sincere apologies to TheBogQueen and all others I offended. You are right, you and others should be allowed to vote.
I don't know where my head was when I wrote that. I am sorry.

Still miffed that I cannot vote because I volunteered to be out of the country for a while donating my skills. Scotland is, and always will be, my home.

My country too. Also no voice, no vote.