VisitScotland Chairman Mike Cantlay welcomes the announcement by Finnish airline, Finnair, of a direct flight from Helsinki to Edinburgh.
Finnair will start flying to Edinburgh from 18 April to 27 October 2016.
Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland said:
– The launch of this service from Helsinki to Edinburgh is fantastic news for Scottish tourism. Airline investment is key to growth in the visitor economy.
– We welcome this exciting new direct route by Finnair which will make it even easier for visitors from Finland and also Asia, one of our emerging international markets, to come to Scotland. The Chinese visitor market alone contributes on average £37 million to the economy each year.
– This new route is a huge boost for the vibrant Scottish capital which continues to be a popular destination for international visitors with its stunning castle, dynamic festivals and striking architecture.”
Last year visitors from China made 33,000 visits to Scotland, accounting for 443,000 bed nights and spending a total of £62 million.
According to our consumer research, Chinese visitors are likely to be travelling with family and friends on an extended trip, often taking in more than one destination, and a key activity on their visit is touring famous sights and landmarks.
