This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Increase in visitor spend
02/10/2003
Scotland achieved a seven per cent increase in domestic tourist spend in the first half of the 2003 compared to the same period last year.
UK Tourism Survey figures show that in the period to June 2003 the spend from UK visitors to Scotland rose to £1.71billion.
In June this year alone there was a 13 per cent rise in spend by visitors choosing Scotland as a holiday destination compared to June 2002. The number of overnight stays in June 2003 increased by 17 per cent to 6 million over the same period. These figures demonstrate that Scottish tourism is well ahead of the UK average.
Tourism Minister Frank McAveety said:
"Tourism is one of Scotland's most important business sectors, and it has been growing strongly since the beginning of last year. These latest figures provide further grounds for optimism.
"I am heartened by the commitment of all those involved in Scottish tourism. These figures are encouraging and we must continue to work together to beat the growing international competition which characterises the global tourism market."
VisitScotland chairman, Peter Lederer added:
"As the return to tourism growth continues, it is encouraging to see that the British tourist is viewing Scotland as an essential must visit destination ahead of our UK competitors. This illustrates that the focus on the domestic market in 2003 is bearing fruit for our tourism economy.
"The commitment, support and partnership of the public and private sectors has gone a considerable way in putting tourism firmly back on track. VisitScotland's consumer-led marketing and the industry's drive will continue to support this growth and build for the future."
Tourism is one of Scotland's biggest business sectors, worth more than £4.5 billion a year to the economy, and employing eight per cent of the labour force.
The latest UK Tourism Survey figures to the end of June shows that:
- tourism spend for the first six months of 2003 increased by 7 per cent to £1.71 billion compared to the same period for 2002;
- spend during June itself was 13 per cent up on June 2002 to £324million, with the number of overnight stays rising by 17 per cent.