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?

It was genuinely a happy, peaceful event. There were lots of kids, teenagers, adults, elderly people... The Police were there, as with any large event, but The Daily Mail seem to have taken a photo of people chanting/singing to make it look like a baying mob.
I'm the first to avoid potential confrontation/violence and all I felt was happy to be a part of something nice.

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

Not sure what relevance that has.... My godchildren have been walking around with yes balloons even though their parents are no campaigners. They just liked the balloons.

I know this is a thread about English people visiting Scotland, but some comments have been made about negative coverage in the international media. I have been following this closely in the US media (as well as UK media), and the coverage in the US has been largely neutral, certainly not negative. The coverage here does not put either the yes or no camp in a bad light, and certainly not the country of Scotland.

That's really reassuring to hear Scone - I'd heard it was that way too but some people on this thread's experiences seemed to suggest otherwise. In fact, I'd read an article that suggested the people of Scotland were being lauded in some areas overseas for conducting themselves so largely peacefully during such an important and potentially fraught political process.

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

I regularly see tourists buying pizza-by-the-slice from unhealthy looking carts in Leicester Square, and hot dogs from the filthy illegal stand that sneaks onto Hyde Park and gets wheeled away pronto when the police come by.

I don't really have much faith in tourists.

I do think it's silly to let one incident change your entire view of a country. Considering that most Americans I know who visit the UK regularly have encountered at least one event of outright anti-American hostility (I have experienced it once in England and once in Scotland), it's a good thing that we understand that it's just one rude asshole with an axe to grind.

My Italian friend has just said today that many Italians were under the impression we were joining the Euro in Scotland and that's why we were having a referendum?! Slight misunderstanding I think, but nothing negative about the referendum in general has been reported over there. She will still visit Scotland any time in the future regardless of the result tomorrow morning..

There is just no way I'm visiting the US after seeing that little girl shooting her instructor the other week on the news. What a very dangerous place to go as a tourist.

How does that come across to others who are quick to make judgements about a country because of one piece of news??!

There's an article on this very subject in the Daily Mail online

Hahahahahahaha!

I'm not buying into this skewed logic that seems to be apparent on this thread about the effect of tourism in Scotland because of a referendum. Like most political stuff, it will blow over. Tourism will be fine and I haven't witnessed any abuse towards English people or otherwise when out and about. You will get the odd idiot here and there, but not unique to just Scotland. This happens everywhere!

I've had all sorts of comments when I've visited England, it cuts both ways you know! I still visit England though because I'm not narrow minded enough to tar every English person with the same brush. We are all individuals.

I agree Minty, anti-English feeling has always been there, not without reason though so you just have to shrug it off.

It's hard for the English because generally they are well respected and well liked around the world (partly do to the fact that a lot of people migrate here from abroad) so when we get offended it's tricky. But the English still make anti-scottish jokes and think they're funny, they still say things about them being mean or good with money so a bit of an attitude when we go up there is kind of fair game really.

I don't think anyone's said it doesn't happen, just that it's no more prevalent than the Jock/Taff/Paddy shit that many people experience in England.

Like I said, I was born in England, so I do know about it, but I'm not of the opinion that it's been any worse because of the referendum, which is the whole point of this thread.

By that logic, English people would have been boycotting Scotland for years (and "Jocks" would have been boycotting England right back).

Unfortunately some adults don't ever grow out of the playground tendency to negatively latch on to difference. They are in the minority however, and exist in all countries. Doesn't mean it's ok, doesn't mean we should accept it or shouldn't try to change it.

German bookings to Greece plummeted at the height of the Euro crisis in 2012. At this time Greek rioters were expressing anti German sentiment and the effect on holiday bookings was devastating. Admittedly this would also have been due to concerns about Greece dropping out of the Euro and a sudden return to the Drachma. I am also not suggesting that it compares to the current situation.
Nevertheless I think it is naïve to think that some of the rhetoric being espoused by the yes campaigners can be aired and it won't have a subliminal effect on visitors.
For my own part I have encountered outright unfriendliness from the Scottish but then again I have from the French also. It is a factor in my choice of holiday destination. Italians, Germans, Austrians, Spanish, Americans friendly, French and Scottish perhaps more of a mixture.
Sorry that's just the way I see it.

IrnBruTheNoo, we hope for different outcomes but I'd like to say that I like your cyber self and suspect I'd like you in real life.

Well you can all be really chuffed now since it's a No majority, Scotland says No loud and clear, democracy has play it's part and we've got to move on now. Tourism will still flourish in Scotland regardless.

grovel thanks for the compliment

I also second what grovel said

Wind your neck in irnbru this was never about the result- the damage was already done.

Wind your neck in irnbru

Now there's a charming peace offering! Nobody sticking their neck out here as far as I can see.

Oddly enough, after only having been to Scotland twice in my 48 years, I have two holidays planned and booked there for 2015.

It wasn't supposed to be a peace offering because it wasn't a thread about the result despite you and several others using it to wave your flag.

I would have said the same to someone with the opposite view to irnbru making a similar comment if it had been Yes.

If the vote had been Yes there would have been massive uncertainty as it is 45% of the population are stuck in a union they don't want- neither are a great advert for tourism are they?