Scottish Enterprise has unveiled a number of new training and marketing initiatives to encourage greater travel between Edinburgh and Glasgow and better links between both cities’ tourism sectors.

In early June, Edinburgh and Glasgow officials signed a city collaboration concordat and have since earkmarked funding for five collaborative projects over the next year. The funding will come from the City Collaboration initiative, a partnership between Scottish Enterprise, the City of Edinburgh Council and Glasgow City Council.

The five projects include a new, flexible ‘rover’ ticket for transport between Edinburgh and Glasgow and an interactive concept to inform and educate frontline tourism staff such as taxi drivers, hotel staff and waiters working in each city about the history and attractions of their opposite city.

Each of the schemes has been assigned a private sector champion who will work with public sector partners to develop it over the coming year.

Peter Williams, First ScotRail’s head of marketing, will be investigating options for a new rover ticket between the cities. He said: “The ticket would be value for money, convenient and flexible and offer unlimited travel. The cities are less than an hour away by train and the service frequency is high.

“We want to ensure visitors – whether they are here for a city break or a business conference – have the opportunity to experience what both cities have to offer. It would be a win-win situation for both cities and visitors.”

A further six projects have also been identified and are currently being developed before funding is sought. These include marketing both cities as child-friendly destinations, a new events diary or both cities and research into the perceptions of transport between the cities.

Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “Today’s travellers are well-informed and savvy. They are not going to limit themselves to just one city or one part of Scotland.

“Using the power of co-operation, we will help to show tourists the merits of what a visit to two cities – only 50 miles apart – have to offer.”

According to an International Passenger Survey, Glasgow and Edinburgh account for half of Scotland’s income from overseas tourists – a total of £400m. The cities jointly employ 72,500 people in the tourism sector, which annually generates £2.38bn for the Scottish economy.

Photograph: www.britainonview.com