This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Robert Burns worth £160 million to Scottish economy
20/05/2005
Robert Burns is worth nearly £160 million to Scotland's
economy, a study has concluded.
Tourism and Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson urged
businesses to build on this and said the opportunities for
Scotland in the run-up to the Homecoming 2009 anniversary
celebrations are enormous.
Speaking ahead of her attendance at the opening of the
Burns an' a' that Festival 2005 at Culzean Castle in
Ayrshire, Ms Ferguson said:
"Robert Burns is an international beacon of Scotland's
cultural life, and generates enormous revenues for Scotland
- nearly £160 million annually.
"The study by the Moffat Centre demonstrates the
benefits we already enjoy through Burns' legacy, and also
points to areas we can develop as we move towards
preparations for the Year of Homecoming 2009. The potential
to use the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns' birth is
significant, and could be used to encourage Scots to come
home to Scotland and to maximise the appeal of Scotland as
a place to visit.
"It is fitting that we now have a festival dedicated to
celebrating the life of Scotland's Bard. Work is already
under way to develop plans for the Homecoming to ensure
2009 is a seminal moment in Scotland's cultural history,
and to realise the full economic benefits that Burns brings
to the country. As work progresses in the coming months, I
would urge everyone in Scotland to support the Homecoming
celebrations."
Author of the report Professor J. John Lennon of the
Moffat Centre at Glasgow Caledonian University said:
"Burns and his work are emotive subjects owned by many
and of significant future importance for the nation. The
value of Burns as an international icon for Scotland's
creative and literary tradition can and must be celebrated
on a comparable stage to Joyce in Ireland and Hans
Christian Andersen in Denmark."
Evelyn McCann, Chief Executive, Scottish Enterprise
Ayrshire, said:
"Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire has welcomed the
opportunity to work with the Scottish Executive and other
agencies on this work which will inform plans for 2009.
"The Moffat Centre's report clearly sets out the
opportunities for Ayrshire and Scotland to celebrate the
250th anniversary of Burns' birth. Events and activities
will showcase the country on a world stage, create a
cultural legacy for future generations and reinvigorate
interest and pride in Ayrshire and Scotland's most
significant icon.
"Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire is looking forward to an
exciting time ahead working with our partners locally and
nationally to ensure the highest quality of Burns related
experiences are in place for 2009."
The Moffat Centre's Robert Burns National Audit and
Economic Impact Study was published today.
The value of the Burns brand is estimated to be worth
£157 million annually to the Scottish economy. The range of
activities to be developed for 2009 will provide a real
focus on Ayrshire and Scotland generating increased tourism
visitors, additional spend and supporting increased
jobs.
In October 2004 the Moffat Centre was contracted to
undertake this project to scope how the 250th Anniversary
of Robert Burns in 2009 could be used to encourage Scots to
return to Scotland and maximise the appeal of Scotland as a
visitor destination.
A brief summary of the aims of the project are detailed
below.
- To use the 250th Anniversary of Robert Burns in
2009 to encourage Scots to return to Scotland and
maximise the appeal of Scotland as a visitor
destination.
- To provide a national audit and economic impact
study to identify the scale and nature of the Robert
Burns brand and Robert Burns identity in Scotland and
internationally.
- To identify key individuals, organisations,
resources and businesses which have/could have a
connection to Burns and may wish to be involved in the
year long 2009 celebration of homecoming.
- To examine the Burns industry/brand from a
cultural, business and global perspective.
- To produce a sustainable action plan for the year
of homecoming for the 2009 year of homecoming with
identified, costed and proposed development
opportunities.