Partnership launched to give visitors to Edinburgh a city tour that makes a difference
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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 social enterprise trains people affected by homelessness to become walking tour guides in the city where they live and the guides are empowered to create their own tours highlighting famous landmarks but more importantly sharing their own inspiring stories and experiences.
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Hide AdThe 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 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.
One tour guide, Paul who had always wanted to start his own tour company, joined the social enterprise in 2017 when he had just moved into a Bed and Breakfast with his 17 year-old son.
After completing his training with Invisible Cities, he launched his tour Leith: The Trainspotting Generation. Since then, he also learnt to deliver their Women of Edinburgh Tour.
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Hide AdIn summer 2019, he was recruited by an American Tour Company but continues to deliver tours for all and has since moved in his own accommodation.
He said: “I tried to start a tour company in 2004 and due to circumstances, I kept on becoming homeless and when I found Invisible Cities who train homeless people to become tour guides, it was kind of like a dream come true for me. That kind of inspired me to go to college as well so it has really changed my life.”
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. The partnership feels like the perfect way to support an extremely important enterprise and also welcome guests back in a meaningful way.”
“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.”
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Hide AdZakia Moulaoui, founder of Invisible Cities, said: “We are lucky enough to be able to offer visitors a special walking tour of the city from unique voices who have experienced the best and worst of the streets where they live.
“It feels important to regain a sense of community after everything that the tourism industry has gone through. 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.”