Listen
Rise in overseas visitor spend
15/07/2010
Overseas visitors spent almost 1.4 billion pounds in Scotland last year, a rise of 10 per cent compared with 2008, new figures show.
Figures published today by the Office for National Statistics highlight a 10.3 per cent increase in expenditure by visitors to Scotland from overseas during the first year of Homecoming in 2009, compared with the previous year. The amount spent by overseas visitors to the UK increased by 1.6 per cent during the same period.
The figures show European visitors spent 14.5 per cent more in 2009 than during 2008; and those from other overseas countries excluding North America increased their spending by a significant 42.2 per cent.
Today's figures also confirm that despite the global downturn, the overall number of overseas visitors to Scotland rose by 2.1 per cent in 2009, compared with 2008. Visits from Europe and North America fell by 1.2 per cent and 0.4 per cent respectively; but visits from other overseas countries increased by a significant 23.8 per cent. The number of overseas visitors to the UK fell by 6.3 per cent during the same period.
Following a meeting in Blairgowrie with those behind the LovetoEat2010 project, which encourages residents, businesses and visitors to celebrate the area's food heritage, Tourism Minister Jim Mather said:
"Today's figures show how, in spite of the global downturn and the very challenging times facing the sector, tourism businesses played a vital role in Scotland's return to growth - bringing in more than 2.5 million overseas visitors last year to spend 1.37 billion pounds during their stay in Scotland.
"This is yet another excellent indication of the Scottish tourism industry's hard work and determined resilience through the challenges brought by the recession, and underlines the success of Homecoming 2009 in appealing to people around the world with links to, or simply a love of, Scotland.
"The Scottish Government will continue to support VisitScotland and the tourism sector in its proactive approach to build on this success in the face of continuing challenges.
"Our focus on Scotland's global reputation as a land of food and drink, delivered in partnership with communities through projects such as the LovetoEat2010 initiative in Blairgowrie, will be a key tool in our efforts this year to encourage more people to holiday in Scotland, and to enjoy even more of what Scotland has to offer."