This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scottish tourism leading the UK
13/04/2005
The total number of international visitors to Scotland
in 2004 is up 20 per cent on 2003 figures, compared with 12
per cent for the UK, according to new figures.
The International Passenger Survey for 2004 shows that
EU and non-EU visitor numbers are 13 per cent higher than
the UK average compared with 2003.
Over the same comparative period, visitor numbers from
North America and from other countries to Scotland are also
higher.
At the launch of VisitScotland's EXPO, the tourism
industry's annual trade fair, at Aberdeen Exhibition and
Conference Centre, Tourism Minister Patricia Ferguson
said:
"Scotland's tourism industry has battled through a
difficult period in recent years, challenged by
international events and an overall downturn in global
travel. However, it has not only survived that period - but
is thriving.
"Scotland has unique assets and characteristics to offer
the tourist, and I believe we are beginning to reap the
rewards of increased marketing activity, increased air and
ferry routes into Scotland, and an upturn in the quality of
the tourism experience.
"Data from the International Passenger Survey is
excellent news for the industry in Scotland. Substantial
increases in international tourists in 2004 compared with
2003, demonstrates Scotland is outperforming the average
for the UK. In particular, the number of visitors coming
from both EU and non-EU countries is considerably higher
than the UK average.
"I believe this is in no small part due to continued
investment in opening new routes to Scotland from Europe.
And data for both North America and the rest of the world
shows that Scotland is punching well above its weight.
"Tourism is crucial to Scotland's economy and I am
heartened to see that we are competing very well in an
increasingly competitive global market. But the work is not
done - we must continue to make sure Scottish tourism is
the best it can be if we are to realise our ambition of 50%
growth in the next decade.
Phillip Riddle, Chief Executive of VisitScotland,
added:
"I am delighted with these figures and the tourism
industry can take great credit from them. They demonstrate
that our marketing strategies are yielding some excellent
results and they present the challenge of maintaining these
levels of success."