Edinburgh Castle voted city's trump card as only one in ten visitors lured by Festival

Published on Monday 22 March 2010 21:44

ALMOST three-quarters of overseas visitors to Edinburgh are lured to Scotland's capital by its rich heritage and historic backdrop, a new survey has revealed.

• Edinburgh Castle

More than half of all visitors said Edinburgh Castle had been one of the main draws, but just 11 per cent cited the capital's reputation as a festival city as a main reason for the visit, while 14 per cent had come for a specific event.

Edinburgh's historic surroundings were by far the most popular reason for booking a trip, cited by 68 per cent of UK visitors and 73 per cent of those from abroad.

Edinburgh's museums and galleries were cited by 20 and 17 per cent of all visitors respectively, although 95 per cent of people surveyed said they had visited a major attraction in the city.

Just 1 per cent said they had come for a business trip, compared with 52 per cent who said they had been inspired to see Edinburgh Castle. The findings of the survey are likely to lead to fresh demands for tougher measures to protect the city's World Heritage Site in the wake of controversy over the impact of proposed new hotel developments.

City council leaders last night said they would be "foolish" to support any future developments that damaged the city's historic environment.

Nearly 600 national and international visitors were quizzed last year for the survey, carried out by Edinburgh-based Lynn Jones Research for the Destination Edinburgh Marketing Alliance.

Customer service at visitor attractions across the city was rated the highest, at an average of 8.49 out of ten, while hotels and guest houses were rated the lowest, at 7.97 on average. The city's "value for money rating" in the survey was lower, however, working out at an average of 7.55 out of ten.

Tom Buchanan, the city's economic development leader, said: "Obviously, as one of the world's must-see destinations, it's highly important that Edinburgh properly maintains its heritage, as well as being a modern city.

"We would be foolish in the extreme to alter the very things that are attracting people here. However, it is a living, working city. A city completed is a city that is dead and tourism is one of the major growth areas for our economy."

Marion Williams, director of heritage watchdog the Cockburn Association, said: "I'm not too surprised that Edinburgh's history and heritage have rated so highly, but it is very interesting that so few visitors were here for a business trip. The results do show how important it is that we protect the heritage of the city."

Alan Johnston, chair of the Destination Edinburgh Marketing Alliance, said: "Edinburgh lays genuine claim to being one of the most stunning places in the world, so the results are no surprise."

TOURISTS LOVE …

Tourists were asked what made them visit Edinburgh?

Historic city and heritage 70%

Edinburgh Castle 52%

A previous visit 29%

Shopping 23%

Museums 20%

Art galleries 17%

A specific event 14%

Edinburgh's reputation as a festival city 11%

Nightlife 8%

Work or business trip 1%