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?

In terms of visiting an independent Scotland (as an English tourist with a very very vague Scottish connection) I'd still apply the same logic as I do any proposed holiday which is usually finance based.

Can we afford to get there? Is it affordable to stay there? Is it going to cost a fortune once we are actually there? And (possibly slightly uniquely) are we planning to go in peak mozzy time?

If that's all ok then I would like to visit :)

Here we go again, celticlass please, please, please provide me with an argument that this campaign has helped Scottish tourism from rUK visitors (who make up the very vast majority of your tourists), other than you think it'll be fine.

I can categorically tell you this campaign has done more harm than good south of the border (as confirmed by this thread) and that will, without doubt, lead to a loss of rUK tourists.

If you genuinely believe that's not a problem them good luck to you.

I'm English living in Scotland and I work in a job which supports local businesses. The tourism trade IS being hit at the moment - that's not scaremongering its FACT! Bookings from England are already down for next year. Where I am - central belt- the referendum has generated strong anti-English feeling and the age old bigotry which has lurked under the surface is back with a vengeance. I am genuinely afraid for Friday.

I have no interest whatsoever in arguing with you bear You have an opinion, so do I. That is what they are, nothing more nothing less

But an opinion has to be based on more than blind hope, there's loads of first and second hand experiences on here which indicate that Scottish tourism will take / is taking a battering, whatever the result, do you really believe 'it'll all be fine'?

Living in Scotland and having many Yes supporters as friends, I have not heard one anti English comment.

Have been reading the debate in here though and seen many comments in the vein of 'the Scots can eff off' and 'I'll be laughing when they go bust'.

I think if tourism dwindles it won't be because people are scared of anti English attacks but more that some people have taken the desire for independence as a wholly personal slur upon English in general.

Whereas it's an entirely separate issue. The only people I have seen making it about English vs Scots have been English.

That is the truth.

Living in edinburgh and having seen many tourists today with 'Yes' badges means I am not too concerned about the effects on tourism.

Daughter - I agree, there has been anti-English sentiment for ages. I visited my Scottish friend at Uni at Edinburgh back in the nineties, when we went to a pub to grab a drink in the evening I was refused service. It wasn't an "English" pub apparently. For good or for bad that has been my abiding memory of Scotland ever since.

fanjo I haven't seen a single post on this thread that says 'the Scots can eff off and I'll be laughing when they go bust'

Saying that is a very long way from asking exactly where the blind ignorance of the fact that the referendum seems to have irrevocably damaged English tourism in Scotland has come from.

Well considering half of Edinburghs population now are English students I think it would be safe to revise your feelings about it.

No not on this thread bear. But have seen a lot of it. And it's very sad. I do believe some people are taking the desire for independence as a personal insult when it isn't.

I agree Celticlass, the anti English thing is wildly exaggerated. I honestly have not come up against any of this over the last few weeks and believe you me, the referendum is all you hear about up here. I hear more anti English comments during the Calcutta Cup!

Bear, you are looking for hard facts, yet you're sitting there pontificating and making sweeping statements about how English people will stay away in their droves. A handful of southern mumsnetters agreeing with you is not indicative in the slightest.

I've not looked at your profile (and can't as in mobile) so have no idea if you're a regular, but your posts to me sound like a hack with a big shitty stick stirring it up.

Well considering half of Edinburghs population now are English students I think it would be safe to revise your feelings about it.

A) absolutely bollocks that half Edinburgh's population are students

B) even if that were true, my argument is about tourists and students residing in the country aren't tourists.

Bear,,chill.i was talking to rainbunny there about her unfortunate experience in a pub, we x posted.

You might find this police statement interesting. The tales of violence or intimidation are mostly gross exaggeration.

"The Scottish Police Federation released a statement Wednesday slamming reports from British newspapers and politicians that the independence debate in Scotland has or could lead to violence and riots. The police group says supporters on both sides of the Scottish independence debate have acted with restraint and respect leading up to what is arguably one of the most pivotal moments in Scottish history.

Scottish Police Federation chairman Brain Docherty said in a statement that the debate “has been robust but overwhelmingly good-natured,” and warned against rhetoric meant to rile up passions in Scotland. “It was inevitable that the closer we came to the 18th of September passions would increase but that does not justify the exaggerated rhetoric that is being deployed with increased frequency,” Docherty said. “Any neutral observer could be led to believe Scotland is on the verge of societal disintegration yet nothing could be further from the truth.”"

Re the tourism thing, you literally can hardly move in Edinburgh in August for tourists from all over the world so I don't agree with you,,sorry.

I didn't return to Mn to argue anyway. I think it's sad people feel there is anti English feeling and it's a personal slight as I genuinely don't think it is.

Currency will have a big effect on tourism in an iScotland - a new currency that gives a favourable exchange rate to foreign tourists will make it a good value destination.

I agree Fanjo. Whatever the result tomorrow, I'm in awe of how most folks have engaged in the debate and taken a real interest in politics. The numbers expected at the polling booths is extraordinary and it is a historic moment on many levels.

OP, tourism isn't just people on holiday it covers a wide variety of purposes including family and friends. This is all covered with the same title and used for statistics and trends in the tourism industry.
I doubt there will e much difference at all.

People who really believe there will be riots don't really understand Scottish people IMO.

Agree again Fanjo.

Hate to disappoint you sleepyfergus but I am a regular.

My point continues to be that those arguing against me, really don't appreciate how much damage this referendum has done south of the border.

I've yet to hear any convincing argument to the contrary.

Every potential 'English tourist' on here has either said they'd go regardless or that they'd think twice- that isn't going to increase tourism is it? at best it would stay the same.

Exactly fanjo.

Remember our riots in 2011?

Oh that's right, neither do I.

There's no anti English sentiment. There's "I want to run the country I live in to the benefit of myself and my family" sentiment. It's not all about you you know ;)
If the tourist industry dwindles then fair enough, bit playground to chose not to visit a beautiful country because of some media biased nonsense about hating the English, which I have seen precisely no evidence of. Apart from Katie Hopkins, we do hate her!x