Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh

May 09, 2017 15:37 BST Giving rugby tourism a try

We often under-estimate the impact of international rugby on our tourism and hospitality economy. We will be reminded of its importance once again this weekend when BT hosts a sparkling double bill.

The importance of Team Scotland doing well in the RBS 6 Nations is apparent to all the hotels, bars and restaurants in the colder, early months of the year. And throughout the year both Edinburgh and 's pro teams have attracted hundreds of thousands of rugby fans from Wales, Ireland, and Italy, helping to stimulate passenger demand on the flight routes between Dublin, Cork and Scotland.

Now the Champions Cup Final, formerly the Heineken Cup, this weekend is another chance to show how good we are at joining in the celebration. I hope suitably-kilted Scottish fans will be able to mingle with English and French rugby fans at both Murrayfield and in the special fanzone in George Street. Let's make them feel welcome!

Murrayfield’s capacity is 67,000 and the rugby double-header includes Saracens versus Clermont Auvergne in the Champions Cup Final on Saturday with Gloucester verses Stade Francais in the Challenge Cup on Friday evening.

My colleagues at VisitScotland’s EventScotland team, have been working with Scottish Rugby and have been rolling their sleeves up to ensure that there is plenty of extra off-field activities for the fans. The city will be well prepared - and well-stocked with beer - for the English and the French invasion and who will make a lot of noise as the season comes to a fitting climax.

The European finals are one of the great club rugby weekends and Edinburgh is the perfect stage for the event. Events play a significant role is Scotland’s visitor economy

Last year’s finals in Lyon generated a direct economic impact of more than €15 million and a total economic impact of over €20 million, placing the finals in the comparative context of an NFL International Series match in London or an RBS 6 Nations test match.

The matches will be broadcast to 4.1 million viewers in 95 countries which all adds to Edinburgh’s consistent promotion as an attractive destination.

Analysis of Lyon showed that over 54,000 non-local supporters were in the city across the two finals, on top of 11,900 other attendees, requiring more than 40,500 bed-night’s accommodation and millions of Euros (an average of €165 / Champions Cup spectator) in additional spend on food and beverage, groceries, travel, shopping and leisure.

Saracens are in their second successive Champions Cup final. The game kicks off at 5pm. Scottish rugby fans will be familiar with the names of and with Scottish interest in Kelly Brown, and Jim Hamilton. Clermont Auvergne, who play in dark blue and yellow, pipped Leinster to win their place in the final.

Scotland captain , who has been selected to join the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in June, will play his final game for Gloucester against Stade Francais on Friday - kick-off 8pm - before joining Clermont next season.

From a neutral's point of view, it’s going to be a feast of great sunshine rugby in the capital.

For more information, visit our Rugby in Scotland pages on visitscotland.com

Notes to Editors

• Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews • VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland. • The organisation’s core objective is to contribute to the Tourism 2020 Strategy ambition of growing tourism revenues by £1 billion by 2020. • This will be supported by five overarching strategies: Marketing, Events, Quality and Sustainability, Inclusive Tourism, International Engagement.

• The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland. • Spending by tourists in Scotland generates around £12 billion of economic activity in the wider Scottish supply chain and contributes around £6 billion to Scottish GDP (in basic prices). This represents about 5% of total Scottish GDP • For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/ • Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh) • For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com • For information about business tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com

Scotland’s Themed Years

• Following an industry consultation, the Themed Years will now take place every second year to enable more time for planning and opportunities for collaboration. • 2020 has been designated as a year in which Scotland’s Coasts and Waters will be showcased and celebrated with a programme of activity designed to support the nation’s tourism and events sectors. • The year, led by VisitScotland will sustain and build upon the momentum of Scotland’s preceding Themed Years to spotlight, celebrate and promote opportunities to experience and enjoy Scotland’s unrivalled Coasts and Waters, encouraging responsible engagement and participation from the people of Scotland and our visitors. • A year-long programme of events, activities and ideas will shine a spotlight on the impact our waters have had on Scotland, from the formation of beautiful natural features to the creation of our national drink – whisky. • Join the conversation using #YCW2020 • 2022 will be the Year of Scotland’s Stories - a celebration of our rich literature, film, oral traditions and myths and legends.

Contacts

Chelsea Charles Press Contact Scotland’s Themed Years Communications & Engagement Manager Contact for media enquiries on: Scotland’s Themed Years (i.e. 2018 Year of Young People; 2020 Year of Scotland's Coast and Waters; 2022 Year of Scotland's Stories) [email protected] 0131 472 2067

Carrie MacWilliam Press Contact Senior Corporate Press Officer - National Contact for media enquiries on: Travel media (Scotland); Year of Young People; UK Marketing; Dundee; Fife; Angus; Perthshire [email protected] 0131 472 2052 Out of hours - 0131 472 2324 Amelia Whittaker Press Contact Senior Corporate Press Officer - Regional Contact for media enquiries on: South Region; Edinburgh and Lothians; Food and Drink; Scottish Thistle Awards [email protected] 01750 723806 Out of hours - 0131 472 2324