Exclusive by Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, Edinburgh Correspondent, The Herald
“I don’t buy the overtourism debate. I never have.”
It is the second week of the festivals and Roddy Smith is holding court in Essential Edinburgh’s office on the third floor of a building on George Street.
Mr Smith is the chief executive of the New Town’s business improvement district, representing 700 businesses on Princes Street and the surrounding avenues.
In the top job since 2015, Mr Smith is well versed in the challenges facing his members, but too many tourists? Not a chance.
“Tourism has basically been the single factor that has regenerated and re-enlivened Edinburgh city centre,” he says. “If you go back, all these hotels that are coming in, they’re coming in for the tourists. Look at Johnnie Walker, look at St James.
“Look at some of the old buildings in the city that have been redeveloped, like the Edinburgh Grand and Gleneagles, two magnificent old buildings that were disused and going to rack and ruin.
“Edinburgh has to realise the fact that the economic vitality of the city centre has been driven by tourism. It’s not just the hotels and bars, it’s the bakers, the butchers, the people who do the laundry.
“It’s too big a sector in the city to say: ‘Oh, we don’t want as many tourists coming’.” […]