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TATTOO SCOOPS CELEBRATED QUEEN’S AWARDHer Majesty The Queen today announced that the UK’s leading accolade - The Queen's Award for Enterprise - has been bestowed upon The Edinburgh Tattoo in recognition of its recent outstanding International Trade activities. This is the first occasion that one of Edinburgh’s International Festivals has won a globally recognised Queen’s Award, widely considered to be a ‘knighthood for business’. The Award was won for the Tattoo’s recent phenomenal business success, including doubling its export earnings to £1.9m over three years. Over that period, exports totalled some £4m. Indeed, the Tattoo’s contribution to the Edinburgh and Scottish economy over the month of August is now said to be worth in excess of £86m according to an independent economic impact study prepared by Edinburgh's Progressive Partnership in December 2006. But while the Tattoo now joins the business elite, it should be remembered the Edinburgh Tattoo is a charity and that a number of service and civilian charities benefit each year from surplus funds generated as a result of the event’s annual success. In total more than £5m has been distributed to charity over the years. Said new Tattoo Chief Executive & Producer, Major General Euan Loudon CBE, who took the reins of Scotland's military spectacular at the end of March: "We are thrilled to have won such a coveted Award. While this accolade serves to strengthen the credibility of our brand in the marketplace, it also recognises the quality of our product and is a fabulous endorsement for the organisation". Over 1,000 performers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States and the United Kingdom are set to gather for this summer’s 58th Castle Esplanade extravaganza (3-25 August), which celebrates the Diamond Wedding Anniversary of HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and will include one or two yet to be revealed surprises | | |
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