Boom in international visitor numbers to Scotland
An increasing number of overseas visitors are choosing to visit Scotland according to encouraging new figures. The latest International Passenger Survey shows a 14 per cent rise in international tourists travelling north of the border in the first nine months of 2006. That’s compared with an eight per cent increase elsewhere in the UK.
- In total 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.
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."
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