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Mar 20, 2006
A £10-million development is opening in Edinburgh in an effort by the Scottish city to attract younger visitors to the region. Designed by Fletcher Joseph Architects, The Smart City Hostel development, which is expected to open in May 2006, is the first of a number of planned high quality branded hostels specifically designed to meet the needs of travelers on a limited budget who are still looking for quality.
VisitScotland says it has been working with developers to achieve a 5-star accommodation rating under the star-grading Quality Assurance Scheme. The £10-million SCH Edinburgh development includes conversion of the 5-story Blackfriars House, former offices, and new 8-story extension to create a 132-room hostel.
Philip Riddle, VisitScotland, Chief Executive, said, "Smart City Hostels is an exciting innovative development that is well founded on changing consumer expectations and needs. With more holiday opportunities than ever before, tourists are becoming more discerning and are looking for high quality and affordable accommodation options. This allows them to spend more on activities, entertainment, shopping and eating and drinking, which are some of the key ways we are going to achieve our ambition of a 50% growth in tourism revenues by 2015."
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