‘An opportunity to open up Scotland even further’

By Denise Marray/London Correspondent

The Chairman of VisitScotland (the national tourism organisation) Mike Cantlay sees the soon to be launched Qatar Airways service between Edinburgh and Doha as offering great potential for business and cultural exchange between the two countries.

In a statement to the Gulf Times, he said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with Qatar Airways. This is an unbelievable opportunity to open up Scotland even further to our important long haul and emerging markets, especially during 2014, the year Scotland welcomes the world. With Homecoming Scotland, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and The Ryder Cup, there has never been a better time to visit our stunning country and we look forward to welcoming visitors from Qatar and beyond to our shores to experience an unforgettable year.”

Scottish travellers will benefit from significantly reduced journey times to Asia and Australasia with just one smooth international transfer in Doha. Qatar Airways is to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the Doha-Edinburgh route that will be launched on May  28.

David Birrell, chief executive at Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce also sees great opportunities opening up through the new service. He made the following observations when contacted by Gulf Times: “The Business Community in Edinburgh and beyond is delighted with this great news, as new routes like this not only encourage overseas trade and investment, but also demonstrate that Edinburgh is a place to come and do business.”

He added: “The arrival of Qatar Airways in Edinburgh is not just about the flights in and out, but the levels of service offered and the wider association with a brand that is synonymous with service. Adding international links of this quality is a real benefit for Edinburgh and Scotland.”

For many visitors Edinburgh acts as the ‘gateway’ to other parts of Scotland.

The  conference and corporate meetings market is of key importance to the city alongside the leisure events and international holiday market.

Leading  professional services firm Deloitte has forecast that spending by inbound visitors to the UK will grow by 4.4% per annum to 2020.  Scotland intends to attract a fair share of that business,  and Edinburgh as a World Heritage Site, the world’s number one Festival City and Unesco’s first City of Literature has plenty to offer.