Whisky tourism has smell of success

Scotch whisky tourism grew to record levels last year, according to new figures from the industry body.

Thescotchwhiskyassociation (SWA) reported almost 1.9 million visits to Scotch whisky visitor centres in 2017, up 11.4 per cent on the previous year and a rise of 45 per cent since 2010.

Tourist spend was also up, increasing by 15.6 per cent to £60.9 million last year.

The average spend per visitor increased slightly year-on-year to £32.22, up by £11 since 2010.

Visitor centres reported the highest number of visitors came from Germany and the US followed by those from India, China and Japan. Scotland has 122 malt distilleries, with 66 Scotch whisky visitor centres open to the public. A further eight can be visited by appointment.

SWA chief executive Karen Betts said: “These record figures are great news for the industry and great news for Scotland.

“Scotch whisky distilleries have invested, and continue to invest, hugely in providing world-class visitor facilities at their sites all over Scotland and they are collaborating in establishing new whisky trails and finding new ways of telling the story of Scotch to British and foreign visitors alike.”