CVB. Business tourism is continuing to deliver major economic benefits to Scotland’s capital city in the face of the gathering global recession.   The latest figures released by the Edinburgh Convention Bureau (ECB) show that city placed 36th in the world rankings of conference destinations is continuing to attract enquiries at the same level as this time last year.

Initial approaches during December and January from the organisers of conferences for professional associations, both international and UK based, numbered 18, an increase of four over the same period last year. Maintaining the level of interest from this business source in the current economic climate is seen as important as the association sector accounts for 75% of the ECB’s business.   

The good news for the city came as the ECB announced that 14 new events have been secured and will be staged in Edinburgh between 2009 and 2013.   Ranging from one to five days duration the events will bring 3,700 high spending delegates to Edinburgh injecting a total of £6.2 million into the local economy. Sue Stuart, chief executive of ECB, commented:”At a time of global economic downturn which is delivering a daily round of staggering job losses it is great to be in a position to announce some good news. Winning these conferences is excellent news for Edinburgh and Scotland. It demonstrates that in our capital city, Scotland has a unique product that remains attractive to event organisers.”  

The largest of the new events that will be hosted by Edinburgh is the International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant. Held over five days in June 2013 it will bring 1200 delegates to the city and inject more than 2.8 million Euros into the local economy. www.conventionedinburgh.com