Scottish Fans’ Euros Presence Linked to German Tourism Increase

Although a number of months have elapsed since the conclusion of the European Championship and the departure of Scottish supporters from Germany, the positive impact of their presence persists. German cities that hosted numerous Scottish fans have resumed their usual activities, but the consequences of those events are reportedly still evident. According to tourism specialists, there has been a notable rise in German tourists visiting Scotland, a phenomenon some connect to the relationships established by the Tartan Army during their trip abroad. Approximately 200,000 Scotland supporters journeyed to Germany to back Steve Clarke’s squad in their initial significant international competition since the 1998 World Cup. While the team faced difficulties on the field and did not advance past the group stage, fans spent two weeks celebrating with residents in Munich, Cologne, Stuttgart, and other locations, creating enduring memories and connections. Craig Ferguson, who achieved social media recognition for his kilted walk from Glasgow to Munich, commented, “It’s one of those where you had to be there to really understand what it was like.” The 21-year-old has since revisited Germany multiple times and has even developed a friendship with the Mayor of Munich. Ferguson stated, “Pretty much on the daily I’ve been getting messages from people in Germany saying ‘look Craig, we want to come to Scotland now because of what we’ve seen, what the Scottish people were like, in our cities over the summer’.” He added, “For sure there’s not just people saying they want to come, but there are actually people booking flights to come, which is fantastic.” He also noted, “I’ve been back a number of times and even off the back of what happened in the summer, people hear the Scottish accent and instantly say ‘no way, are you from Scotland?’ It’s like they remember the positive connotations that came along with that and it’s just amazing.” Travel agencies are also observing indications of a shift following the football tournament. Mohit Joshi of the travel firm Skyscanner remarked, “The number of Germans visiting Edinburgh has increased by 156% year on year.” He further explained, “What’s fascinating is that the Scottish fans brought warmth, kindness, and humour to Germany – qualities that the locals truly admired. This curiosity has sparked a growing interest in Scotland, reflected in the rising search queries.” Visit Scotland expects a more comprehensive understanding of the effects next year, but reports that online searches in Germany for Scotland as a vacation spot rose by 57% during the competition period. Although definitively quantifying the full impact of Scotland’s Euros festivities on tourism remains challenging, individuals within the hospitality industry are perceiving a distinct correlation. Andy Barton, proprietor of the HairyCoo bus tour company, which transports visitors to sites such as Skye and Loch Ness, has witnessed a substantial increase in German tourists and believes a change is underway. Barton stated, “Last year, we welcomed around 3,000 Germans on our tours; this year alone, that number has jumped to about 5,000.” He added, “If we can build on the momentum from Germany this summer, it would be fantastic for Scotland.” To illustrate the influence Scottish fans had on their German hosts, Martina Spiech from Cologne serves as a prime example. Following two weeks of festivities with Scottish supporters in her native city, she developed a profound affection for a nation she has not yet visited. To mark this experience, she acquired a large tattoo of the lion and thistle on her calf. Martina has also become a member of the recently established Cologne Tartan Army fan group and eagerly anticipates exploring Scotland. Spiech commented, “I truly fell in love with Scotland and wanted to show my affection in any way I can, even though I’ve never been there.” She also expressed certainty that numerous others share her sentiment, having been impressed by what they witnessed during the summer and now prioritizing Scotland as a travel destination. She remarked, “I think many people here were maybe thinking about it but after mixing with so many Scottish people in the summer, now they are saying ‘we have to go’.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.