Figures published by the Office for National Statistics show that Scotland has staged a stronger post-pandemic recovery than the UK as a whole, welcoming 1.4 million international tourist visits from July to September last year - up 14% on the same period in 2019.
Visitors spent a record £1.5 billion – 18% more than during the same three months in 2019 when adjusted for inflation.
At the same time, the number of visits to the UK as a whole is down, compared to the same period in 2019.
Kenneth Gibson MSP said:
“Scotland’s unique culture, history and landscapes, plus global events such as the Scottish Open Golf Championship, the UCI World Cycling Championships and Edinburgh’s world-renowned festivals, draw visitors from across the world.
“In Cunninghame North, from Arran and Cumbrae to our beautiful Ayrshire coast and the Fairlie Moor we too, have many attractions.
“We recognise too, that the sector faces challenges such as rising costs and skills shortages due to Brexit, and we will continue to support and work with the tourism and hospitality sector to grow its economic value while delivering the very best for visitors, businesses, and communities.”
