PUTTING DUNDEE ON THE MAP

15 November 2017

DUNDONIANS have always appreciated what a great city it is to live in and work.

But the message is now reaching a much wider audience.

The City of Discovery is already enjoying a higher profile at home and abroad thanks to work progressing on the eagerly awaited V&A Museum on the fast-evolving waterfront.

Every staging post in the iconic building’s development is eagerly awaited and flagged-up.

Dundee, and Tayside in general, is hoping for a major boost to visitor figures when Kengo Kuma’s Museum of Design is up and running next year and it should also enjoy spin-off benefits after being lauded by no less a publication than the Wall Street Journal.

Tayside Solicitors Property Centre manager Lynne Hill, who hails from the city, noted that Dundee had already been hailed as the “coolest city to visit” by the influential GQ magazine.

She said: “It was also wonderful to see Dundee rubbing shoulders with destinations such as Shanghai, Grenada and Madagascar among the Wall Street Journal’s list of the 10 ‘hottest destinations.’

“We also warranted an article in National Geographic which said there has never been a better time to visit us.

“This sort of international recognition has to be good for the city, along with UNESCO City of Design status and our bid to become European Capital of Culture 2023, which the business community has thrown its weight behind in recent months.”

Jim Clarkson, regional director at Visit Scotland, commented: “To be named as a must-visit attraction in such a prestigious publication as the Wall Street Journal is testament to the hard work and dedication of our local tourism partners to revitalise the region and deliver a top quality experience for visitors.”

TSPC manager Lynne said there was a growing sense of confidence in Dundee which was also reflected in an active local property market.

She noted that Dundee gaming pioneer Chris van der Kuyl, whose locally-based company is behind the successful Minecraft video game, had hailed the city when he returned to receive an “outstanding contribution” accolade at the 2017 Courier Business Awards night.

The businessman acknowledged the “unbelievable spirit” of Dundee, its residents and the business community.

Lynne said: “Dundee is a very vibrant city with a strong university base and that is certainly playing a part in maintaining a lively property market.”