VisitScotland Chairman hails“Stunning” Tourism Success

VisitScotland Chairman, Mike Cantlay responds to the release of the quarterly International Passenger Survey(IPS) tourism statistics by the UK Office of National Statistics (ONS) and the Domestic tourism statistics derived from the Great Britain Tourism Survey.

Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland said:

“We named 2013 the Year of Natural Scotland, and it certainly did us proud!  With fantastic weather and boundless energy, enthusiasm and engagement from across the tourism industry, visitor numbers soared higher than the sun. 

“VisitScotland’s confidence and continuing investment in European markets, despite unpredictable economic climates has proved tangible with a large rise in spend and visits from this continent overall.  And of course new flight routes played their part with Air Canada Rouge and Virgin’s Little Red – to name but a few - linking up Scotland with the world.

“Strong growth in the domestic market has been fuelled by a rise in visitor numbers to rural areas including the Highlands and south of Scotland, which reflects the success of putting an emphasis on ‘the great outdoors’ in 2013.

“After a challenging 2012, these results are simply stunning.  It’s just the motivation Scotland needs as we head into 2014, the year that we welcome the world with an outstanding programme of global events including the Ryder Cup, Commonwealth Games, Homecoming Scotland and the MTV EMAs.  We must keep the momentum going!”

KEY FACTS

YEAR TO DATE FIGS (2013)

Year to date (Jan - September 2013) - Overseas visitors

Overseas visits have increased:  7.9%

Overseas spend has increased:  18.8%

Year to date (Jan - September 2013) - Domestic visitors

Domestic visits have increased:  1.3%

Domestic spend has increased:  3%

Year to date (Jan - September 2013 - Combined domestic and overseas visitors

Combined overseas and domestic visits have increased: 2.3%

Combined overseas and domestic spend has increased: 8.5%

QUARTER 3 ONLY FIGS

Quarter 3 (July - September 2013) - Overseas visitors

Overseas visits have increased: 18.7%

Overseas spend has increased: 28.7%

Quarter 3 (July - September 2013) - Domestic visitors

Domestic visits remained the same

Domestic spend has increased: 8.8%

Quarter 3 (July - September 2013) - Combined domestic and overseas visitors

Combined overseas and domestic visits have increased: 3.2%

Combined overseas and domestic spend has increased: 16.2%

ROLLING YEAR STATISTICS

Rolling year (Oct 2012 – Sept 2013 – Overseas Visitors

Overseas visits have increased: 2.8%

Overseas spend has increased 5.1%

Rolling Year (Oct 2012 – Sept2013) – Domestic Visitors

Domestic visits have increased:  2.1%

Domestic spend has increased:  2.8%

Rolling Year (Oct 2012 – Sept 2013) – Combined Overseas and Domestic

Combined overseas and domestic visits have increased: 2.2%

Combined overseas and domestic spend has increased: 3.6%