Visitor surge amid city transformation projects

A number of other projects across the city have enjoyed a boost in visitor numbers in recent years.

The RSPB Dolphinwatch scheme had 1,668 people at the Torry Battery to see the city’s dolphin population at Aberdeen Harbour in 2014. Last year, the attraction recorded 5,471 visitors, an increase of 228%.

Multimillion-pound developments, including the new £333million Aberdeen Exhibiton and Conference Centre, the £30million revamp of the Aberdeen Art Gallery, and the £8.8million transformation of the Music Hall are under way across region.

The city council’s coleader, Douglas Lumsden, said the Granite City’s tourism offerings will play an important part of the future local economy.

He said: “We are working closely with our partners to attract not just people from outwith the area to visit, but we are also encouraging our own residents to rediscover what we have to offer.

“We continue to invest in our events programme and it was brilliant to see the people of Aberdeen come out in huge numbers at the weekend to see the excellent Nuart event. As well as the events programme we must remember that we have some fantastic parks and it is particularly pleasing to see the figures for the David Welch Winter Garden. The staff have done a superb job of making to look so good, and I would encourage all residents to pay a visit.”

Douglas Lumsden at Aberdeen Maritime Museum