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Tourism & Leisure

Response to criticism

Airbnb visitors spend a third more on eating out in Scotland

Wagamama, service, hospitality, restaurant
Serving up benefits: More spent on food (pic: Terry Murden) Spending in Scottish restaurants and cafes by guests using short-lettings service Airbnb is expected to rise by nearly a thirdRead More

Site to be transformed

Bank building to be replaced by seven-storey Bloc hotel

RBS West George St
Bank building will be demolished (pic: Google) A former RBS cash counting centre opposite Queen Street Station in Glasgow, will be demolished and replaced by a seven-storey hotel. Bloc Hotels acquired 21 WestRead More

Campaign against levy

Hotels lobby group steps up tourist tax opposition

Kate Nicholls
Kate Nicholls: ‘costly and bureaucratic’ (pic: Terry Murden) A hotel industry lobby group is stepping up its campaign to block plans for a tourist in Scotland. UK Hospitality claims theRead More

Self-catering expansion

Handpicked city pair add Highlands lodge to portfolio

Handpicked Lodges Team
Country life: Tanja Hughes and Judith Thurlow moved north to set up their business Handpicked Lodges has acquired another property, the newly refurbished Caberfeidh lodge in the village of Kincraig,Read More

Board steps down

Marketing Edinburgh board quits in funding row with council

Gordon Robertson
Gordon Robertson: ‘no option’ (pic: Terry Murden) The board of the organisation tasked with promoting Edinburgh has quit after councillors rejected its call to provide more funding. Marketing Edinburgh, whichRead More

Date set for launch

StayCity to open its Edinburgh hotel next month

StayCity
The hotel is part of a mixed use development near the castle Aparthotel operator Staycity Group’s Wilde Aparthotel in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket area will open on 2 December following a yearRead More

Hosts face new ruling

Airbnb to crack down on ‘party houses’ over lettings abuse

Bubbles in Royal Mile
The party house bubble may be about to burst (pic: Terry Murden) Airbnb has said it will ban “party houses” in a move that will impact on those who rentRead More

Dispute over funding

Marketing Edinburgh board may quit in new council row

Gordon Robertson
Letter: Gordon Robertson (pic: Terry Murden) Marketing Edinburgh’s board is threatening to resign over a new row over the city council’s commitment to the organisation. The board will meet todayRead More

Transforming centre

Former zoo boss to head Johnnie Walker visitor attraction

Barbara Smith
Barbara Smith: ‘transformational programme’ A leisure industries veteran who has run Edinburgh Zoo and the castle will join Diageo as general manager of its new Johnnie Walker visitor experience. BarbaraRead More

100 new stores

Expanding Barrhead Travel offers jobs to ex-Thomas Cook staff

Thomas Cook holidays
Holiday plans back on track after latest move Barrhead Travel has pledged to hire a “significant number” of former Thomas Cook employees and open up to 100 stores across theRead More