Water tourists and pleasure seekers splash £3.7bn

Marine recreation and tourism expenditure in Scotland is estimated to amount to £3.7 billion per year, according to a report published today.

The Scottish Marine Recreation and Tourism Survey shows that £1.3 billion of expenditure comes from specialist marine activities including wildlife watching, sailing, kayaking, surfing and angling with expenditure on general recreation and tourism like beach combing, short walks and coastal cycling amounting to £2.4 billion.

This survey covers 23 different recreation and tourism activities undertaken at sea or around the Scottish coastline. General marine and coastal recreation, including beach activities was found to be the most popular activity.

Commenting on the latest findings, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment, Richard Lochhead said: “Our seas are the jewel in Scotland’s natural crown. They provide energy, food and are a massive draw for visitors from home and abroad. Marine tourism and recreation expenditure in Scotland amounts to £3.7 billion per year, supporting jobs, increasing participation in sports and recreational activities and showcasing Scotland as a world class destination.

“This survey is a significant step forward and will help us understand more about the economic value of the sector and information about the type of visitors/participants and the requirements to support sustainable development of the sector. This survey has been a partnership effort and I would like to thank all the organisations involved for their hard work bringing this information together.”

Rhona Fairgrieve, Scottish Coastal Forum manager said: “This innovative project, successfully managed by the Firth of Clyde Forum and undertaken by Land Use Consultants, has made a substantial contribution towards filling the gaps in data relating to marine recreational activities that were highlighted during the development of the Scottish National Marine Plan.

“The Scottish Coastal Forum welcomes the publication of the results of the national survey of marine recreation and tourism, undertaken during 2015. In particular, the findings in relation to the value of expenditure on the activities are significant and are welcomed as an addition to the available information on social, economic and environmental uses of Scotland’s superb coastal and marine resources.”

Alan Laidlaw, head of property in Scotland for The Crown Estate, said: “As one of the funders of the study, we were keen to find out how much activity there is and what attracts visitors to the sailing hotspots around Scotland. This research shows how good coastal management and targeted support - carefully designed to deliver long-term benefits - is really strengthening communities and local economies. The natural scenic beauty of Scotland’s coastline combined with high quality facilities and services are clearly a winning combination. In recent years The Crown Estate has helped several locations to improve their visitor facilities - this study shows there is a ready market for them with marine recreation now a multi-billion pound industry.”