Latest news with #VickiMiller
Edinburgh Reporter
17-07-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
UNESCO Trail declared a success
Scotland's UNESCO Trail is hailed a success as VisitScotland say it inspired two in five visitors to go to at least one of Scotland's designated sites. The report which they have published finds that as many as one in four long haul visitors go to one of the sites in Scotland. More than a third said the trail, which was launched as a digital presence in October 2021, was an important factor in deciding to visit one of the sites. Scotland is the first country to develop such an initiative through a partnership involving VisitScotland, The Scottish Government, the UK National Commission for UNESCO, Historic Environment Scotland, NatureScot, the National Trust for Scotland and Scotland's UNESCO designations. Business Minister Richard Lochhead said: 'Each one of Scotland's UNESCO sites tells a story of Scotland's rich and varied culture, history and heritage. Together, they form a powerful showcase of Scotland's unique proposition as a year-round sustainable tourism destination. 'The UNESCO Trail has been a pioneering project led by VisitScotland in partnership with sites across the country and this analysis shows the clear value of the initiative as it helps build a compelling story that is attracting tourists and visitors from across the world to our incredible, unique UNESCO sites up and down the country.' Vicki Miller, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: 'Scotland's UNESCO Trail was a major milestone in Scotland's responsible tourism ambitions. It helped support our work to encourage visitors to slow down and immerse themselves in our marvellous regions, ensuring the benefits of the visitor economy are felt right across our communities. 'Scotland's UNESCO designations encapsulate much of what makes Scotland a must-visit must-return destination. It is our unique landscape, history, heritage and culture that keep visitors coming back. 'Partnership working is at the heart of all that we do, and the Trail was a real collaboration between the industry, our national partners, UNESCO sites and the Scottish Government to raise our destination's profile on the global stage. These results show that it not only captured the imagination of our visitors but helped develop new relationships between UNESCO sites and the wider tourism sector.' The full list of Scotland's UNESCO designations are: the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, Wester Ross UNESCO Biosphere, Dundee UNESCO City of Design, Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature, Glasgow UNESCO City of Music, Perth UNESCO City of Crafts and Folk Art, Arran UNESCO Global Geopark, Shetland UNESCO Global Geopark, North West Highlands UNESCO Global Geopark, the Flow Country UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Forth Bridge UNESCO World Heritage Site, Frontiers of the Roman Empire: Antonine Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site, New Lanark UNESCO World Heritage Site, Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old and New Towns of Edinburgh UNESCO World Heritage Site, St Kilda UNESCO World Heritage Site. Loading… PHOTO Stephen Sweeney Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
22-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
New VisitScotland CEO Vicki Miller choses Ayrshire & Arran as first stop on nationwide tourism tour
Miss Miller held talks with a number of key stakeholders during her two day visit to the region. Ayrshire & Arran was chosen as the first destination as VisitScotland's new Chief Executive, Vicki Miller, engages in a series of tourism industry meetings around Scotland. The two-day schedule gave The National Tourism Organisation's CEO the opportunity to hear directly from businesses and partners, listen to their current challenges and discuss ways to increase visitor numbers and spend. Scotland continues to perform strongly in attracting international visitors and VisitScotland's new boss was keen to emphasise to businesses that Ayrshire & Arran is well placed to increase the number of overseas visits, through marketing and travel trade activity. Working with both VisitArran for island businesses and Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, who will now be taking a more central role in tourism and events for Ayrshire, VisitScotland is looking at a programme of business support, to grow the value of the visitor economy in the region. The visit included two business events, first in South Ayrshire at Brig O'Doon Hotel in Alloway and then on Arran at the Kinloch Hotel in Blackwaterfoot. Supported by Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and VisitArran, businesses joined Miss Miller to hear more about VisitScotland's future direction as an economic growth agency and how this will support industry, before sharing the unique challenges they are currently facing in the region. She visited three former Scottish Thistle Award winners, Auchrannie Resort, Trump Turnberry and Friends of Dundonald Castle, to experience in person Ayrshire's high-quality tourism offering and see the progress of recent investment and product development. There were also meetings with all three local authorities, North, South and East Ayrshire Council. In 2023, visitors to Ayrshire and Arran spent £323 million. This money supports more than 1,000 tourism businesses and 14,000 tourism jobs across the region, stimulating additional investment and revenue in the wider local supply chain which includes food and drink, arts and culture, retail, construction and transport. Ayrshire's visitor economy is playing a key role in contributing to the regeneration of the region's towns and urban areas, the sustainability of rural and island communities and the journey to net zero. VisitScotland Chief Executive, Ms Miller, said: 'It was a productive and enjoyable couple of days spending time in Ayrshire & Arran's wonderful scenery with colleagues. 'The itinerary was planned to maximise the time I spent with businesses and industry representatives and it's great to hear directly from such a creative and passionate industry in Ayrshire, working to make a positive difference to visitors and residents. 'These meetings are extremely important to understand local challenges and opportunities and to agree how VisitScotland can continue to support businesses and stakeholders through our work. 'I firmly believe Ayrshire & Arran has a diverse range of high-quality tourism and events experiences that resonate strongly with international audiences. Data and insights show growing demand for exactly what the region offers, from outdoor wellness to authentic, community-led experiences. 'Our purpose at VisitScotland is clear – to drive the visitor economy, growing its value in the regions of Scotland, set out in our new three-year Corporate Plan, to create better places for people to live, work and visit.'
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
No Kings protest: Philly police, organizers plan security ahead of rally
The Brief The No Kings protest starts at noon at Love Park before heading to the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps. Participants are protesting Trump administration policies. Philadelphia police say they will be safeguarding public safety as with all demonstrations. CENTER CITY - Saturday tens of thousands are expected to turn out in Philadelphia, which is holding the so-called flagship No Kings demonstration against Donald Trump administration policies. What we know The No Kings protest will organize at Love Park at noon. They will have banners, speakers and supporters lining up to begin marching around 12:15 and will head to the Philly art museum for the main event. They are protesting policies by the Trump administration. What they're saying "It should be very peaceful. Non-violent," said Vicki Miller. The city is preparing for a big day Saturday when massive crowds are expected in the city for the No Kings protest. "We've given people a lot of peacekeeper training and information so that if there's some kind of nonsense they know what to do and we expect that that's going to be just fine," said Miller who is with the group Indivisible Philadelphia. It is the main organizer for the protest which is being held to take a stance against policies by the Trump administration. "So many people are showing up to say we don't have kings and he's not going to be a king and we are against what he is doing in Washington," said Miller. She says they will have 100 or so volunteer marshals who will be in charge of their safety. "They have had many, many professional training in peacekeeping and everything a marshal does. They will be wearing yellow vests. Bright yellow vests," she said. She expects up to 60,000 people to join them to march to the art museum for the main event. Big picture view Here's part of what Philadelphia Police said in a statement this week ahead of the events taking place: "As with all demonstrations, our priority is to facilitate peaceful protest, prevent violence or disorder, and protect the rights of all residents, businesses, and participants. we train our officers accordingly and deploy resources proportionate to the potential needs of the event." "If people show up and they are deliberately disruptive, we'll probably have to do something about that. Maybe the marshals will calm them down. We will have to see what we do. If people break the law I think they will probably have to answer to the police," said Miller. The protest is expected to end by 3:30. By the numbers Up to 60,000 people are expected to attend the No Kings protest in Philly. 2,000 similar protests will happen around the country. The Source Information for this article was provided by the Philadelphia Police Department and Indivisible Philadelphia.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
No Kings protest: Philly businesses prepare for thousands expected to attend
The Brief Businesses in Center City are cautiously optimistic and planning for large crowds from the "No Kings Rally" on Saturday. A couple retailers in Rittenhouse Square are taking heightened precautions and boarded up their windows. The organizer of the rally said the event will be energized, joyous and peaceful. CENTER CITY - Thousands are expected to attend the No Kings rally in Philadelphia. Some local shops are optimistic that the large influx of people could help boost their businesses, while other retailers in Rittenhouse Square boarded up their windows on Friday in advance of Saturday's planned protest. What we know Hundreds of rallies called the "No Kings Protest" are scheduled across the country this Saturday and the flagship event is happening in Philadelphia. Organizers said the event will voice opposition against Trump administration policies. The rallies coincide with the President's birthday and the Army's 250th anniversary celebration. Vicki Miller is the group leader of Indivisible Philadelphia, a grassroots and progressive organization. Miller is the lead organizer of the No Kings Rally in Philadelphia and said she expects up to 60,000 in attendance. Timeline The rally will meet around 12 p.m. at Love Park then march down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art where public speakers will address the crowds. "We have marshals who are going to keep people safe. It should be very peaceful, nonviolent, it should go very well," said Miller. "We've never had any problem here before in any of our rallies and we expect the same tomorrow." Miller said organizers have had big meetings with every city agency involved including the Office of Emergency Management, the fire department, SEPTA and police. What's next Melissa Zielinski is the general manager of Walnut Garden, an outdoor beer garden on Chestnut Street. She said there is concern over Saturday's event going sideways, but said they will play it minute-by-minute. "We are going to be open. We open at 12 tomorrow and will just play it by ear. The police have been fantastic with making sure we feel safe, but at any time if we feel as though our staff is not safe then we'll definitely close up shop," said Zielinski.
CBC
13-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
No Kings protests against Trump's policies expected to sweep U.S. on Saturday
Social Sharing A U.S.-wide demonstration against President Donald Trump, planned for months and to be held Saturday, has ballooned in scope since protests against the administration's immigration raids broke out last week. Cities across the U.S. and the world are preparing for nearly 2,000 planned "No Kings" rallies this weekend — which were organized in response to the flamboyant military Flag Day parade Trump is holding in Washington, D.C. Flag Day happens to fall on the president's birthday — Trump turns 79 this year. The number of rallies has grown throughout the week, but there is not one planned for the U.S. capital. Organizers say that they want to draw attention elsewhere. Though initially unrelated to widespread protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles and other U.S. cities over the past week, the No Kings "day of defiance" couldn't be more timely, says Vicki Miller, whose group has been planning the Philadelphia No Kings demonstration since April. "It makes the urgency of everything we're talking about even more clear," said Miller, the Philadelphia leader of Indivisible, an organization that was created after Trump was first elected in 2016. The No Kings website says the aim of the demonstrations is to take action "to reject authoritarianism" of the current U.S. government. "They've defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights and slashed our services. The corruption has gone too far," the group writes. The website features a map of the U.S. with black dots showing all the locations where rallies are planned. Rallies are also being held in other countries in solidarity. In Toronto, a "No Tyrants" demonstration is planned for noon local time across from the U.S. consulate on University Avenue. Organizers like Miller have sought to make a distinction between their rallies and the clashes that have erupted in Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, in recent days. Trump federalized and deployed California's National Guard without Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom's consent in response to the protests. The move has been criticized as a display of the very authoritarianism protesters are trying to denounce. However, No Kings organizers say their plan is to remain on the straight and narrow. "We've never had any hint of violence in any of our protest rallies in Philadelphia," said Miller, a retired lawyer. "We're working with the city very closely." Miller said Indivisible is planning for at least 60,000 people to attend its rally Saturday. There will be 100 volunteer marshals present, who have been trained on de-escalation, and the group holds regular meetings on how to defuse tense situations, Miller said. But with protests gaining momentum across the U.S. and now elsewhere in the world, U.S. city and state officials are on high alert for what could unfold. Parade to feature 7,000 troops Washington, D.C., where the Flag Day parade will take place, has declared the event a "National Special Security Event," with a heavy Secret Service and law enforcement mobilization. The parade will feature more than 7,000 military troops, 150 vehicles and 50 helicopters. Texas's Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has put his state's National Guard "on standby" ahead of the No Kings rallies. At a news conference Wednesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed concern that Trump was "determined to insert chaos" ahead of the rallies. "Our responsibility is to continue to provide calm and structure to the situation," Johnson said. He said the city would "protect the fundamental right to protest and demonstrate peacefully, and if individuals work outside of those confines, will hold them accountable." Tuesday, Trump said he hadn't "even heard about a protest, but you know, this is people that hate our country, but they will be met with very heavy force." Protesting 'with the young ones' Many of the people CBC News spoke with who plan to attend No Kings rallies said they are not regular protesters. Armida Vicente-Sanchez, a 29-year-old welder who is organizing the No Kings rally in the small city of Dalton, Ga., where she lives, said her rally "has nothing to do with what's going on in L.A. Like, this is our own protest." "We're not trying to start anything like riots or nothing like that," said Vicente-Sanchez, who says she has family members who fear being targeted by ICE. For Clara Cáceres Contreras, though, No Kings is nothing new. The 70-year-old from McAllen, Texas, which sits across the Rio Grande from Reynosa in Mexico, says she has protested Trump every opportunity she's had. "I go out there and I protest with the young ones and I'm wearing my heels," she said. Cáceres Contreras said she is dismayed by the Republican Party's immigration policies under Trump. "They're arresting people that are working. These are working people," she said. "It's like going fishing in an aquarium." The retired education worker says the immigration raids in Los Angeles have given her "more" motivation to join the Saturday rally in McAllen. "Absolutely. My sister lives in L.A. Yes ma'am," she said. "I see the people there and I'm with them. They have a voice." She said she protested the border wall Trump used taxpayer money to build in his first term and that she is now protesting the Flag Day parade he is using taxpayer money to fund. The U.S. was built on rejecting a monarchy, Cáceres Contreras said, "and he thinks he's the king or something."
