Tourism visitor numbers increases again

Overseas and domestic tourism visitors to Scotland have both increased by 10 per cent in the last year to the end of March 2015, according to latest official figures.

With overseas and domestics visitors combined, over 15.7 million tourists visited Scotland last year and spent over £4.9 billion, an increase of 10 per cent from the previous 12 months, the data showed.

An increase of visitor numbers from north America of 31 per cent was recorded along with an increase in their expenditure of 50 per cent.

However, the majority of overseas visitors continue to come from Europe with numbers of visitors and expenditure increasing by six and one per cent respectively.

A 10 per cent increase in domestic visitors is set against a two per cent decrease in domestic visitors for Great Britain as a whole.

Commenting on the figures Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing said: “These figures are hugely encouraging for the Scottish tourism industry as we continue to outperform Great Britain as a whole.

“The rise in both visitors and expenditure show that Scotland is a destination that offers quality experiences and visitors are prepared to spend their money in our hotels, tourism attractions and restaurants.

“Recent figures show Homecoming 2014 generated £136 million of additional revenue to the Scottish economy and we are determined to build on this legacy through other themed years.

“The sustainable increase and expenditure in visitors from North America is hugely encouraging and owes much to the warmth of welcome of our people and our growing international reputation as a place to visit.”