Edinburgh, Scotland's first city pass
Visitors to Edinburgh will be able to see more of the city, for less with the launch of the city’s new European style visitor smartcard pass (April 26 2005). The Pass has been developed by VisitScotland, Edinburgh, in conjunction with Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh & Lothians, The City of Edinburgh Council and Applied Card Technologies Ltd.
Over one hundred destinations worldwide have launched similar city cards, many of the most celebrated provided and powered by ACT, including London, New York, Las Vegas and Dublin. The high demand from today’s city break visitors for the smartcard passes, demonstrates their immense success and value for visitors.
The Edinburgh Pass offers visitors the key ingredients of a short break to Edinburgh in one smart enabled accessible package. Already fifty-five attractions, restaurateurs, retailers, transport and festival organisers will be participating. More are expected to get on board as the Edinburgh Pass attracts increased business to the city. Visitor attractions in Amsterdam, Oslo and London all reported increased visitor numbers following the introduction of similar style city cards.
The credit card sized pass uses ACT’s proven smart card technology, enabling free and discounted entry for visitors to twenty-seven of the city's most exciting and varied attractions. Pass holders can select from a variety of attractions from Edinburgh Zoo, Our Dynamic Earth and the National Galleries of Scotland to Gladstone’s Land and Lauriston Castle.
A further twenty-six of Edinburgh’s top retailers, restaurants, festival and leisure operators have also signed up with exclusive offers. These include a £10 Day Pass to the five star Scotsman Hotel’s Escape Health Club, to ‘Two-for-One’ breakfast at Indigo Yard.
Thanks to the participation of Lothian Buses, unlimited free public transport around the city is on offer including return bus transfers from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre – an important benefit for first time visitors to the city.
The Edinburgh Pass can be bought online (www.edinburghpass.org) in advance of a holiday or on arrival in the city at VisitScotland Edinburgh’s Tourist Information Centres and is available as a 1, 2 or 3-day pass at a cost of £26, £34 and £40 respectively.
Councillor Donald Anderson, the leader of the City of Edinburgh Council said: "Edinburgh is a beautiful world-class city with many unique attractions. We now have tourists enjoying our city throughout the year, whether it be for the world’s best Hogmanay celebrations in the winter months or for the special Festival atmosphere in the summer.
“The new Pass is a golden ticket for visitors to Edinburgh, helping them enjoy our unique city whilst also saving them money. As a tourism destination we are determined to offer value for money and we see this Pass an as effective way of doing just that for many visitors. It will help to ensure that we continue to be competitive alongside other short-break destinations.”
Gary Watts, Managing Director ACT states: “With over eight cities world wide now using ACT’s smart card technology and over two million cards sold last year, there is clear evidence of a high level of demand for a city pass initiative. The Edinburgh Pass is an excellent example of how smart card technology can create a product that offers real benefits. It addresses the modern day needs of today’s short break visitors who are looking for time saving, hassle free, flexible ways to help them create their perfect short break. For partners, it offers a range of new revenue opportunities as well as valuable data collation.”
Pass holders also receive a pocket-sized 90-page colour guidebook, with city centre and transport route maps, and details of all the attractions and offers.
