Number of foreign tourists in Scotland reached a record level in 2005, despite a drop in the number of North American visitors.
Around 2.4 Million foreign tourists visited Scotland in 2005, as per figures released on October 24 2006 reports BBC. It represents 50 % rise from 2001, the year remembered for 9/11 attacks & foot & mouth disease. Tourists from foreign countries spent over US $ 1.5 Billion dollars, beating previously held record of US $ 1.42 Billion in 1996.
This spending spree shows the significance of Scotland in international market. Patricia Ferguson, Tourism Minister, welcomed the growth. However, Conservatives questioned the reason for the increase whether it was a result of Executive policy of Scotland & Scottish National party (SNP) encouraged more investments in transport.
Ms. Ferguson stated that these numbers, set against competitive & ever-changing overseas market, are motivating & indicate brilliant growth prospects in future. She said that the executive & Scotland tourism industry aimed at a 50% increase in revenues by the next decade.
"These figures highlight bright prospects for tourism industry in future. However, 2005 figures beating 1996 record holds true but only mathematically. Prices have increased and so has population. Figures indicate that the revenues were better in 1996," said an analyst at RNCOS.
The highest number of foreign tourists was reported from US at 344,000, still lacking the 421,000 visitors before 9/11 attacks. Around 285,000 German tourists, 144,000 from France & 122,000 from Italy visited Scotland in 2005. English visitors, on an average, spent 4 days with around US $ 83 spending per night. As per figures, there were around 1.59 Million tourists in 2001 & 2002, around 1.57 Million visitors in 2003, nearly 1.9 Million in year 2004 & about 2.39 Million last year.
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