Date :
15/10/2014
The Highlands has seen an increase in tourist numbers according to a report in the Press & Journal
Scott Armstrong, regional partnerships director at VisitScotland, is quoted as saying; “We are hearing from our contacts in the industry that the season has been very positive, particularly with visitors from the US, Germany and Scandinavia.”
Overseas visitors across Scotland increased from July 2013 to June 2014 by 18% to 2.6 million according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
The reported jump in visitor numbers in the north is being put down to Homecoming Scotland 2014 events, including Whisky Month and the Year of Ancient Ancestors Festival to the current programme of Highland Homecoming activities.
Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels’ Association chairman Chris McGuinness is also quoted as saying: “While we do not have any statistical information, anecdotal evidence from our member hotels would suggest that there has been an increase in the number of overseas visitors coming to the area over the past year. We believe that a significant number of these new overseas tourists – particularly those from North America and (mainland) Europe – are coming here to play golf. We are already seeing the first green shoots of an emerging leisure market and look forward to watching it grow in future.”
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