Two Edinburgh businesses have come together to offer visitors an authentic tour of the capital from guides who truly know the stories of the city.
Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel is exclusively partnering with social enterprise Invisible Cities to offer guests a bespoke tour of Edinburgh from one of their specially trained guides, all of who have experienced homelessness in the city.
The team behind Invisible Cities has created specially crafted tours for hotel guests, starting at Charlotte Square and making their way through the iconic sights of Edinburgh. Along the way guides will share some lesser known stories, about how the city was built and why the names were chosen for some of the city’s most historical streets.
Tours are conducted with physical distancing in mind and in line with the latest local guidelines meaning that same household, support bubbles or small groups travelling together in a bubble will be able to join.
Invisible Cities is a social enterprise that is dedicated to training people affected by homelessness to become walking tour guides in the city where they live. Through the unique training that Invisible Cities provides, the guides are empowered to create their own tours highlighting famous landmarks but more importantly sharing their own inspiring stories and experiences.
Kimpton has always been committed to caring for our community, caring for guests, and caring for the environment. We believe that the communities and neighbourhoods we inhabit are the fabric of who we are.
Kieran Quinn, General Manager at Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, said: “In the last few months the tourism industry has gone through an incredibly difficult time but it has been heart-warming to see our community in Edinburgh come together in support of one another.
“The partnership with Invisible Cities feels like the perfect way to support an extremely important enterprise and also welcome guests back to Edinburgh in a meaningful way.”
Kieran Quinn added: “Kimpton has always been committed to caring for our community, caring for guests and caring for the environment. We believe that our communities and neighbourhoods are the fabric of who we are.
“Now more than ever, people are looking for deeper connections when travelling Invisible Cities has created tours specifically for our guests that are not only a true insider’s guide to Auld Reekie but are also a chance to support an innovative business who are striving to change people’s lives for the better.”
Zakia Moulaoui, Founder of Invisible Cities, said: “We are lucky enough to be able to offer visitors a truly special walking tour of the city from unique voices who have experienced the best and worst of the streets where they live.
“At the moment it feels important to regain a sense of community after everything that the tourism industry has gone through during the pandemic. Working with Kimpton Charlotte Square is an incredible opportunity for two celebrated businesses to come together and champion each other as well as the inspirational tour guides we have the pleasure to work alongside.”
Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel is one of four Kimpton Hotels in the UK, including Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel, Kimpton Fitzroy London and Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester. Kimpton was recently named the fifth best company to work for on the 2019 FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® list, the company’s 10th year on the highly coveted list.
Double rooms at Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel start from £180.
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