This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
World beats a path to Scotland
25/10/2006
Nearly 2.4 million overseas visitors came to Scotland last year, a 50 per cent increase since 2001 and the highest figure ever recorded.
These visitors are spending more - over £1.2 billion, surpassing the previous highest amount in 1996.
Overseas tourism revenues accounted for 28 per cent of all tourism revenues. The 2005 figures show that hotel occupancy rates are also at a record 10-year high.
Tourism Minister Patricia Ferguson said VisitScotland's award winning marketing and a substantial increase in its international marketing budget, helped increase overseas visitor numbers.
The Minister also announced plans for further investment. VisitScotland will receive an extra £800,000 for more marketing of direct air services to Scotland.
Ms Ferguson said:
"These figures, set against a competitive and ever-changing international market, are encouraging and all the signs are that these fantastic growth rates will continue.
"Scotland's tourism industry has been resilient and worked hard to regain its place in the marketplace after 9/11 and the foot and mouth crisis in 2001. Both events hurt our tourism industry.
"The Executive has invested millions of pounds on international marketing, which has opened up new markets for Scotland's tourism industry.
"Our ambition, which we share with the tourism industry, is to grow our tourism revenues by 50 per cent over the decade to 2015.
"To achieve this, the private and public sector must build on their already excellent working relationship to ensure Scotland remains a must-visit, must-return destination.
"And the Executive will continue to play its part. That is why we are investing in success with additional funding for VisitScotland's marketing budget."
Philip Riddle, Chief Executive of VisitScotland said:
"This success is not down to VisitScotland alone, it is also testament to the hard work and enthusiasm of Scotland's tourism industry.
"To ensure that we build on this success and foster growth in the UK and international markets, we must continue to work together.
"More and more people from outside the country are discovering the wonder and variety of Scotland whilst contributing more and more to our economy. The additional funding announced by the Minister today will help us to do even more on that front. But it's up to us all to keep this momentum going."
Tourism was worth £4.2 billion to the Scottish economy in 2005, with £1.2 billion of that spent by overseas visitors. The previous record for overseas tourism revenues was set in 1996, when the figure was £1.13 billion (in 2005 prices).