This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scottish tourism leading the way in UK
11/01/2007
The number of overseas visitors coming to Scotland rose by 14 per cent in the first nine months of 2006, compared with eight per cent for the rest of the UK, according to new figures.
The International Passenger Survey shows that a total of 2,249,000 overseas visitors came to Scotland during these months, compared to 1,981,000 for the same period in 2005.
The number of visitors to Scotland from Europe rose by 13 per cent compared to the first nine months of 2005. The rest of the UK reported a nine per cent rise.
Over the same comparative period, visitor numbers from North America to Scotland also show a rise of 16 per cent, compared to an eight per cent rise in the rest of the UK.
Visitors from other countries accounted for a 12 per cent increase compared to four per cent in the rest of the UK.
Tourism Minister Patricia Ferguson said:
"These figures are encouraging and indicate that, in the first nine months of 2006, overseas tourism to Scotland was booming.
"In a very competitive global market Scotland is increasingly becoming an enticing destination of choice for overseas visitors.
"I want to work with the industry to realise their ambition of 50 per cent growth in the next decade."
VisitScotland's Chief Executive Philip Riddle said:
"These results are down to the hard work of VisitScotland and tourism businesses across the country.
"The increase in direct flights to Scotland, more targeted marketing campaigns and of course Scotland's many attractions have all influenced this growth.
"It is crucial that we continue to work together across the industry to keep this going."