Scotland. Business tourism is flourishing in Scotland’s capital city as the global economy continues to battle the impact of the worst recession for half a century. Figures released by the Edinburgh Convention Bureau (ECB) for the first half of the year show it’s on track to achieve its target of helping secure conferences worth 79.9 m euros to the city’s economy. The value of events won or influenced by the ECB between April and the beginning of October is 46 m euros.

Included in the figures released are 11 new events (confirmed between 15 September and 9 October) which will deliver 10.3 m euros into the economy.   These most recently confirmed conferences will attract up to 6,600 high spending delegates to the city. Three of the events are each worth in excess of 1.1 m euros and underline Edinburgh’s standing as a global centre of excellence in the fields of science and medicine. www.conventionedinburgh.com