HOTELIERS are reporting an influx of European visitors into Scotland ahead of this year's Hogmanay celebrations – drawn by the fall of the pound against the euro.
With less than 48 hours to go before the New Year festivities, all the passes have been snapped up for Edinburgh's street party, with the only way of gaining access to the celebrations now through one of the main ticketed events.
In Glasgow, ticke
ts for a Hogmanay concert in George Square featuring Idlewild and Paolo Nutini have sold out. But yesterday, tickets were still available for Deacon Blue's concert at Stirling Castle.
Forecasters said this year's celebrations were unlikely to be marred by the bad weather which has forced events to be cancelled in previous years, with a cold but calm night expected. Despite fears of a slump in tourism and a fall in ticket sales, Hogmanay organisers say they are optimistic this year's New Year celebrations will be a success, with hoteliers reporting a brisk trade.
Russell Imrie, treasurer of the Edinburgh Principal Hotels Association, said: "We have noticed a higher proportion of European guests this Hogmanay compared to previous years. The pound-to-euro exchange rate makes it good value for money – although the majority of visitors still come from within the UK."
Mr Imrie, who manages the Bruntsfield Hotel, said hoteliers had also noticed an increase in the number of days visitors were staying. "It is not all about New Year's Eve – we are finding very good business in the days before and after Hogmanay as well.
"Hogmanay in Edinburgh is very well known throughout the UK and in Europe and the demand for accommodation is still very, very high. There were great concerns about the effect of the economic situation on the hotel business but it seems people are prepared to put their troubles behind them."
Chris Waine Wills, secretary of the Principal Hotels Association, said he had also noticed an increase in European visitors, who tend to book for longer stays. "Hopefully, it will be a great street party and it will keep the reputation of Scotland's Hogmanay going."
The Edinburgh celebrations officially began last night with a torchlight procession which culminated with a son et lumiere show on top of Calton Hill.
Pete Irvine, of Unique Events, which organises the Edinburgh celebrations, said: "We think we have got a really exciting and innovative programme lined up. We are particularly looking forward to The Dancing – a free event on Tuesday night which features everything from Bollywood to ballroom dancing."
There are still tickets available for many of the events – although £10 tickets for the Hogmanay street party have now sold out.
Bad weather has led to cancellations in the past but this year organisers are hoping the weather will stay cold and clear. And there are more events than ever in the capital this year, including the new, free family-friendly Feet First festival on New Year's Day.
Mr Irvine said: "The fact is that the rest of the world looks to us at Hogmanay. And the economic benefit to the city is what it is all about. According to the latest figures, the celebrations bring £30-£40 million into the Scottish economy."
Steve Cardownie, festivals and events champion at the city council, said: "The countdown's well and truly under way to what is set to be Edinburgh's biggest and best street party yet."
Cold but settled weather welcomes 2009
HOGMANAY revellers planning to attend Scotland's main New Year's Eve celebrations were yesterday advised to wrap up warm and prepare for sub-zero temperatures.
But the good news for the organisers of the major Hogmanay parties in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow is that, despite the plunging temperatures, the weather will be fairly settled as Scotland welcomes in 2009.
And there is no threat of the gale-force winds and torrential rain that forced the cancellation of Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh and Glasgow two years ago.
A spokesman for the Met Office said: "It doesn't look as if there is going to be anything particularly threatening at all. The winds are going to be light and we have high pressure to the north of Scotland, extending south across the country.
"On the whole, it is going to be cold and frosty, with temperatures around -2 or -3C. By the bells, it will be around -3C or so."
The full article contains 737 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
