Edinburgh hoteliers cheered by US flights move
Edinburgh hoteliers have welcomed the decision by Continental Airlines to begin daily flights from New York into the city.
Starting next June, it will provide the first scheduled non-stop transatlantic service into Edinburgh.
Hoteliers hope the move will help encourage more high-spending US tourists and business travellers to visit the Scottish capital.
Peter Tyrie, managing director of the Eton Group, which last year opened the five-star, 65-bedroom Glasshouse hotel in the city, described the move as "good news".
"American visitors are vital to Edinburgh's economy and I'm sure this move will encourage greater transatlantic travel, particularly for US corporate business travellers," he said.
A spokeswoman for the five-star, 188-bedroom Balmoral hotel said: "It's very positive. We've had a few announcements this year of increased flights direct into Edinburgh and, as far as I'm aware, this is the first from the States.
"The American market is one of our most important markets and it can only be a good thing."
Jonathan Dawson, general manager of the five-star, 68-bedroom Scotsman hotel, said: "We're delighted. It gives direct access from Edinburgh to Wall Street.
"Edinburgh is a financial centre, with Royal Bank of Scotland and Bank of Scotland based here. Fund managers and those type of people travel all round the world to speak to each other, but it will also have benefits for the leisure market."