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?

Helensburgh iirc this happened to an English MNer who was in Scotland fairly recently on holiday. It's really disrespectful to say that it didn't happen when the person affected was actually really upset.

Whilst it would not worry me visiting, if a yes I would probably visit last minute and not want to pay a deposit at the moment.

I haven't heard any anti-English nonsense either, sadly lots of anti-Scottish sentiment has been expressed in social/mainstream media. This is a huge life changing event for Scotland so understandably people are feeling incredibly passionate about this. Considering that the outcome could bring huge changes for all of the UK I think most people have been incredible civilized.

We used to go to Scotland very regularly years ago when we lived further north, we got the odd bit of ribbing but nothing more. We visited a couple of years ago and had a good time, though the weather was awful.

Now we have kids and live further south I wouldn't go to Scotland for a couple of years at least, as I wouldn't want any racist comments which may upset my kids. I'll monitor the general feeling . It's a shame as one dc would like to climb Ben Nevis.

So yes I think the number of English visitors will dip, especially if there is independence, though in five to ten years things will go back to what they were.

misskelly my son has seen a lot of anti-English sentiment on social media. It's odd this disconnect isn't it?

ButternutBosc

Look at the DVLA page

www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/327622/INF104_230913.pdf

We spent three weeks in "the Highlands and Islands" this summer. It was beautiful and everyone was friendly and agreeable.

The interesting thing was that there were so few English tourists. In more remote areas we were the only ones. Loads of Germans, plenty of French, Italian and Dutch too. Just no English. Everyone in our neighbourhood back in London was headed to Spain or France. Perhaps it's not quite "exotic" enough, and definitely not sunny enough for most folks already on this island.

We're seeing what we always see - the things the media want us to see because they sell papers.

If you speak to real people, the quiet everyday kind of people who aren't rushing to vent into a microphone or keyboard then you'll see there is no huge anti-English or anti-Scottish feeling. Whatever the result of the vote we'll bumble through it and generally get stuff sorted in a reasonable way.

ButternutBosc

It's item 5.

I just looked up that DVLA file on google...I had no clue those letters at the start meant anything now that they're not related to age.

Now that I know that, half my street have cars that aren't Scottish.

I've never noticed that, but looking out my window I've just seen 5 cars starting with S.

There are plenty of Mumsnetters who are posting about the Anti English sentiment that they have been subjected to. How dare anyone say it's not happening when you have people here telling you it is. How rude.

helensburgh the car was spray painted with something like 'fuck off back to England'.

I do think this is being hyped up by the media, dh has lived and worked here for 17 years and he still sounds like a BBC newsreader, so if there was a huge anti-English backlash I would definitely expect he would notice.

But if it is constantly reported that there is anti-English bias when there is not, then yes, that might affect tourism. Hopefully not for long, as after the referendum there will be no point in perpetuating a lie.

It's. Not. About. Anti-Englishness.

It's. About. Democracy.

And perhaps people are forgetting the subtle racism that greets Scots in England and has done for years.

This. "Oh, you must be a drunken, tight-fisted jock then PrimalLass?"

As an aside all these promises DC & co are promising if it's a yes does anybody know if it will cost the English more and further the unfairness you see in prescriptions etc?

It worries me as if there is a no and the above happens I can see resentment from those in the yes campaign along with those in England.I suspect the above and the way the whole campaign has gone will have a lasting effect re tourism either way.

Plus it was the police attitude of well what do you expect feelings are running high..

According to this report Scotland had a year on year increase in holiday lettings of 112% in 2012.

They will be fine.

resources.holidaylettings.co.uk/pdf/HolidayLettingsIndexMay2012.pdf

The Big Gobs interviwed yelling their ill-formed opinions on tv/chasing down and shouting down politicians, reported death threats...

Whether its the 'real' people or not, it makes us look like a bunch of ill-educated, pathetic, aggressive, racist arseholes. I'm actually quite embarassed by the whole campaign reporting.

Not very good on the tourism ads.

And perhaps people are forgetting the subtle racism that greets Scots in England and has done for years.

But even if there is truth to that the point is- it is subtle

An English person having 'fuck off' spray painted on their car is far from subtle.

As a PP said, it just seems ironic, given the income from tourism that would be. relied upon in an Independent Scotland. Even if it is a No vote, the stories that have been circulation aren't going to encourage English people to travel there.

I am English and have lived in Scotland for 31 years....longer than I lived in England.
Anti-English feelings are MUCH less here than they were 30years ago when I would be verbally lambasted by middle aged men. I have heard no anti English sentiment expressed as part of the debate .....personally, although I know David Cameron is not popular.
Amongst English people living here, there is a bit of paranoia and some hostility to the yes voters. My own family is split down the middle.
As for visitors, I have noticed an increase. I think the Referendum, the Games and (ironically) the Art School fire have put Scotland on some people's mental map and I have noticed more European tourists, often hill walkers.

We haven't seen any anti-English sentiment and our cars (with English registrations) have been absolutely fine.

I don't think it will impact tourism and the international response to the referendum has been much more balanced than the UK coverage so I don't imagine it will impact negatively on international tourism at all.

I was in Scotland during the games, and was made to feel very welcome. People in Glasgow were actively trying to be welcoming and friendly in my experience, it was lovely.

According to this report Scotland had a year on year increase in holiday lettings of 112% in 2012.

daughterdilema your arguments really are most bizarre- what on earth is relevant about 2012 letting figures when discussing the impact of the referendum?

7to25 I agree with a lot of what you say about comments from middle aged men etc. That sort of overt stuff had lessened but I see with my son that the grandchildren of those types are still coming out with this stuff even if the middle generation are polite.

The debate itself as conducted for the last 2 years has had nothing mentioned of an anti -English nature and I have my friends who are yes voters of all types. However there is a more free form unofficial campaign taking place on Facebook. That will calm down next week.