(c) destination360.com
From Insider, yesterday:
‘Booming demand from visitors saw the values of Edinburgh’s top hotels rise by 6.3% last year, significantly higher than the European average (3.9%). Figures from the European Hotel Valuation Index published this week by hotel consultancy HVS showed that values of four and five star hotels across Europe grew by 3.9% in 2017 compared with the previous year when values stood still on average.’
https://www.insider.co.uk/news/value-top-edinburgh-hotels-grows-12128682
This news simply adds to a stream of good news stories about the Scottish economy in general and specifically about tourism. See these recent examples:
Tourism spending in Scotland surges ahead of UK figure
North Americans lead surge in Scottish tourism because they feel safer here
More evidence of actual strength in Scottish economy ignored by Scottish mainstream media
As always, there’s much more if you search the blog for ‘tourism’, ‘economy’ or ‘Edinburgh.’
Talking-up Scotland 
John, I’ve thanked you before for your work on this site, and again I thank you very much. I don’t live in Scotland, but defend my country when people talk it down – and I do so using facts from your site. The information you have put together – and, vitally, sourced – is invaluable for all Independence supporters/campaigners. Don’t work too hard though! Your health is the most important thing. Best wishes to you.
PS Thanks also to the all-stars and the other knowledgeable commenters who provide facts to counter the lies and spin against Scotland.
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Thanks Exile for your kind words. It means a lot to me.
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A snippet that folks might find of interest.
from the National – not quite sure how even Ms. Bird on beeb Jockland will be able to turn this into SNP baaaadery:
WHEN 77-year-old Bill Munnoch tried to clean some of the very deep snow from his garden path yesterday, he lasted just a few minutes before the cold became too much to bear.
Beating a retreat inside his home, Bill was astonished a few moments later to see a neighbour completing the task – none other than the SNP leader of Falkirk Council, Cecil Meiklejohn.
Another Council story I haven’t seen covered in press – found it on The Independence Live Blog: (reporting on the West Lothian Council setting their budget – the council is an unofficial Labour/Tory coalition – SNP largest Group – Tory Councillor Tom Kerr who is mentioned was elected as Provost with labour backing, Lab councillor Cathy Muldoon is wife of former Lab MSP Bristow Muldoon – defeated in 2007 by Angela Constance MSP):
Now, about that Taiwan trip. Unbelievably against the backdrop of these life-changing cuts the coalition of chaos are jetting off to visit the Smart City Summit and Expo at the Taipei World Trade Centre Nangang Exhibition Hall. But guess what folks, the very same event takes place in April down the road in Manchester…for FREE!
West Lothian College who were set to include representatives on the jolly have had the good grace to withdraw their participation in the planned council jaunt to Taiwan. SNP Cllr Moira Shemilt said: “Good to see West Lothian College exercising a principled decision.”
So my understanding is that leaves three council representatives specifically 1 Labour councillor (Cathy Muldoon), 1 Tory councillor (Tom Kerr) and one officer going on this trip together. Given Labour are in bed with the Tories surely a double room is called for, although clearly they should not be going at all.
SNP Councillor Andrew Miller quipped, “Happy New Year to the People of China – and to the people of Taiwan, we are truly sorry we tried to stop them but Cathy Muldoon and Tom Kerr (Labour and Tory councillors) will soon be jaunting over to your country. Please feel free to keep them, our gift to you”
SNP Cllr Peter Johnson received the email below inviting attendance – free of charge– to the next Smart City Expo Conference. Not in Taiwan but in Manchester on 24th April. Peter commented:
“…makes the Labour/Conservative decision to spend thousands of public money sending three West Lothian delegates all the way to Taiwan all the more unbelievable!”
Dear Peter
I have up to seven complimentary tickets available for your organisation to attend our Smart Cities Conference, and I thought this may be of interest to you?
Just enter discount code SMARTEXPO to receive your places free of charge. You can book your places on our website here.
Taking place 24 April at the University of Salford, Manchester, the conference will bring together leading experts from government and industry to give their views on how smart technology can be used to improve the lives of the 45 million people living in the UK’s town and cities. A wide range of topics will be covered providing insights into how we can deliver more efficient, sustainable and safer cities.
Complimentary tickets are limited, so please secure your place as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you require any further information
Peter went on to say “So let’s get this straight. Labour/Con could have gone to the Smart City event in Manchester in April. But said NO! Instead Labour/Conservative have said YES please to attending the exact same event at a cost of thousands in Taiwan.”
Somehow or other I’m sure beeb/MSM will find a way of making this story ‘SNP baaad’!
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Given that Glasgow is the UK’s ‘smart city’ (awarded by Mr George Osborne, when Chancellor), the West Lothian Councillors could just get a train from Bathgate to Queen St and pop into George Square and Strathclyde University for a briefing.
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Hi Alasdair – when the Tory Provost (put in place with lab votes) and Lab cooncillor are (politically) canoodling on their wee jaunt across to Taipei (and doubtless discussing the austerity budget they have just voted for) I wonder if any of the MSM will question Labour on this statement (carried on beeb Jockland site in May 2017, below)? :
Labour warns against West Lothian Council coalition with Tories
• 18 May 2017
Scottish Labour’s ruling body has told councillors in West Lothian not to do a coalition deal with the Conservatives.
The SNP is the largest group on the authority with 13 councillors. Labour has 12 councillors and the Conservatives seven.
Mr Rowley told the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme that Labour’s Scottish Executive Committee (SEC) had rejected proposals for a coalition with the Conservatives on the council.
“There will be no deal with the Tories in West Lothian,” he said. (That plan went well – didn’t it Alex?)
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This is classic Labour ‘don’t-do-as-I-do-do-as-I-say’ stuff. Only they know what is good for the rest of us. Withess Owen Jones in the Guardian demanding that the Greens in England come to their senses and merge with the Labour Party in a new grouping to be called …… the Labour Party.
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Many thanks Ludo and Alasdair
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