Edinburgh proving more popular than ever

A record number of visitors have been attracted to Edinburgh's culture, entertainment history and fine hotels and bed and breakfasts.

The city welcomed 1.33 million international visitors in 2006 - up by nearly a fifth on 2005 levels, figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed.

It is now the second most visited city in the UK after London.

Council leader Jenny Dawe told the Scotsman: "These figures are very encouraging and further demonstrate that the tourism industry in Edinburgh is going from strength to strength. Edinburgh is the top tourist location in Scotland and is now hot on the heels of London.

"The millions who visit Edinburgh can't fail to be impressed with what the city has to offer and that is why many come back time and again."

The paper also reports that Edinburgh hotel occupancy rates are now at an average of 75 per cent - the highest level since records began in 1992.

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