Study shows importance of tourism to Argyll and Bute

RESEARCH released this week outlines the vital role tourism plays in supporting local communities across Scotland.

The study, carried out by VisitScotland, has revealed that in some communities of Scotland, such as Argyll and Bute and the Highlands, tourism employment accounts for nearly double the national average.

Tourism has the biggest impact on employment in Argyll and Bute, with 17 per cent of the population employed in the sector.

Other regions that lead the way in tourism employment include Highlands (14 per cent), South Ayrshire (13 per cent) and Orkney (12 per cent).

Between them, Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Highlands, Aberdeen City and Fife accounted for almost half of tourism employment in 2015 with 103,400 jobs. Overall, there are 217,000 jobs relating to tourism in Scotland.

Local authorities have long recognised the important contri- bution of tourism to their areas, providing infrastructure that is essential for its growth, captured in the National Tourism Development Framework.

The aim of this framework is to highlight the activity and investment that exists to ensure the visitor journey is as smooth and efficient as possible.

Local authorities that include the most tourism businesses relative to their population are Argyll and Bute (13.5 per cent), Dundee (11.5 per cent), North Ayrshire (11.3 per cent), West Dunbartonshire (11.3 per cent) and the Highlands (11 per cent).

The top 10 most visited regions in Scotland by overnight visitors are:

Edinburgh (2,276,000 trips), Highlands (1,777,000 trips), Glasgow City (1,682,000 trips), Argyll and Bute (891,000 trips), Perth and Kinross (721,000 trips), Dumfries and Galloway (702,000 trips), Aberdeen City (661,000 trips), Fife (528,000 trips), Stirling (432,000 trips) and South Ayrshire (373,000 trips).

Malcolm Roughead, chief executive at VisitScotland, said: ‘Tourism is more than a holiday experience – it is integral to sustaining communities across Scotland by generating income, creating jobs and stimulating social change.

‘More and more people are realising just how important the sector is to the economy and these figures illustrate this vital impact that is growing year on year.

‘Scotland’s reputation as a quality destination relies on continued investment and innovation to ensure that current provision meets future demand.

‘ VisitScotland is working with stakeholders and businesses across the country to ensure that this happens and ultimately every visitor gets a quality experience every time.’

For more information about the importance of tourism to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.org