Editing Portree (section)

==Tourism==
[[File:2018 07 15 Schottland (84).jpg|thumb|Portree (2018)]]
Portree is considered to be among the "20 most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland" according to [[Condé Nast Traveler]] and is visited by many tourists each year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/beautiful-villages-uk|title=THE 20 MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN THE UK AND IRELAND, 20 October 2020|accessdate=14 March 2021}}</ref>

A report published in mid 2020 indicated that visitors added £211 million in a single year to the Isle of Skye's economy, prior to travel restrictions imposed because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>[https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/islands/2343962/year-long-economic-study-finds-skye-visitors-boosted-economy-by-211-million-pre-lockdown/#:~:text=A%20year%2Dlong%20economic%20impact,economy%20by%20%C2%A3211%20million.&text=The%20study%20has%20found%20that,2%2C850%20full%2Dtime%20equivalent%20jobs. Year-long economic study finds Skye visitors boosted economy by £211 million pre-lockdown]</ref> This was expected to decline substantially due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. "Skye is highly vulnerable to the downturn in international visitors that will continue for much of 2020 and beyond", Professor John Lennon of [[Glasgow Caledonian University]] told a reporter in July 2020.<ref>[https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/tourists-generated-211-million-for-skye-pre-pandemic-finds-study/ Tourists generated £211 million for Skye pre-pandemic, finds study, 17 July 2020]</ref>

In 2016, over 150,000 people stopped at the VisitScotland centre in Portree, a 5% increase over 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=Skye islanders call for help with overcrowding after tourism surge |date=2017-08-09 |website=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617210308/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/aug/09/skye-islanders-call-for-help-with-overcrowding-after-tourism-surge |archive-date=2023-06-17 |url-status=live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/aug/09/skye-islanders-call-for-help-with-overcrowding-after-tourism-surge}}</ref> Overcrowding during peak season was a problem, however, before the pandemic, since it is "the busiest place on the island". One news item recommended that some tourists might prefer accommodations in quieter areas such as Dunvegan, Kyleakin and the Broadford and Breakish area.<ref>[https://independenttravelcats.com/tips-to-avoid-the-crowds-on-the-isle-of-skye-in-scotland/ 15 Tips to Avoid the Crowds on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, 15 July 2020]</ref>

The 2020 reports did not cover tourism in Portree specifically but a December 2018 report by well-known travel writer [[Rick Steves]] had recommended the village as "Skye’s best home base" for visitors. He indicated that Portree "provided a few hotels, hostels and bed-and-breakfasts in town, while more B&Bs line the roads into and out of town".<ref>[https://www.seattletimes.com/life/travel/exploring-scotlands-majestic-isle-of-skye/ Exploring Scotland’s majestic Isle of Skye, 13 December 2018]</ref> The tourism bureau added that visitors would appreciate the "banks, churches, cafes and restaurants, a cinema at the Aros Centre, a swimming pool and library, (...) petrol filling stations and supermarkets".<ref>[https://www.isleofskye.com/portree Portree]</ref>