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.