Tourist numbers this year

[NickB]

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There has been a claim made elsewhere that tourist numbers on Seil are down this year.

I have seen/heard no evidence of this personally . . . does anyone here have any information or opinions on the subject ?

[Jenn Jones]

Not that I am any longer an authority on the topic - I would say that the TnT has been a bit busier up until now than it was last year......

That said, the roads seem to feel quieter.

[Tim Bowles]

Visitor numbers in the Distillery are way up on last year, so far. So they are making it as far as Oban, at least.

[Sue Fenton]

FYI Scottish Government press release today: (the thread on The Slate is locked)


Tourism visitor numbers increases again
Downloads 16/07/2015 09:28
Scotland Statistics Tourism
10 per cent increase.

Overseas and domestic tourism visitors to Scotland have both increased by 10 per cent in the last year to the end of March 2015 according to figures published this morning.

With overseas and domestics visitors combined over 15.7 million tourists visited Scotland last year and spent over £4.9 billion, an increase of 10 per cent from the previous 12 months.

The figures also show -

An increase of visitor numbers from north America of 31 per cent and an increase in expenditure of 50 per cent

The majority of overseas visitors continue to come from Europe with numbers of visitors and expenditure increasing by six and one per cent respectively
The 10 per cent increase in domestic visitors is set against a two per cent decrease in domestic visitors for Great Britain as a whole
Commenting on the figures Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing said:

“These figures are hugely encouraging for the Scottish tourism industry as we continue to outperform Great Britain as a whole.

“The rise in both visitors and expenditure show that Scotland is a destination that offers quality experiences and visitors are prepared to spend their money in our hotels, tourism attractions and restaurants.

“Recent figures show Homecoming 2014 generated £136 million of additional revenue to the Scottish economy and we are determined to build on this legacy through other themed years.

“The sustainable increase and expenditure in visitors from North America is hugely encouraging and owes much to the warmth of welcome of our people and our growing international reputation as a place to visit.”

Notes To Editors

The figures, which cover Q1 2014 – Q1 2015, are published by the Office of National Statistics and VisitScotland.

Overseas Travel and Tourism - Quarterly Release