This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6082534.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
New record for Scottish tourism | New record for Scottish tourism |
(about 17 hours later) | |
A record number of overseas visitors came to Scotland last year, according to new figures. | A record number of overseas visitors came to Scotland last year, according to new figures. |
There were nearly 2.4m tourists in 2005, a 50% increase on 2001 - the year of the foot-and-mouth outbreak and the World Trade Center attacks. | There were nearly 2.4m tourists in 2005, a 50% increase on 2001 - the year of the foot-and-mouth outbreak and the World Trade Center attacks. |
Tourism Minister Patricia Ferguson welcomed the increase. | Tourism Minister Patricia Ferguson welcomed the increase. |
However, the Conservatives questioned whether the rise was a consequence of Scottish Executive policy and the SNP called for more transport investment. | However, the Conservatives questioned whether the rise was a consequence of Scottish Executive policy and the SNP called for more transport investment. |
The statistics revealed tourism was worth £4.2bn to the Scottish economy, with £1.2bn spent by overseas visitors. | The statistics revealed tourism was worth £4.2bn to the Scottish economy, with £1.2bn spent by overseas visitors. |
This success is testament to the hard work and enthusiasm of Scotland's tourism industry Philip RiddleVisitScotland | This success is testament to the hard work and enthusiasm of Scotland's tourism industry Philip RiddleVisitScotland |
Ms Ferguson said: "These figures, set against a competitive and ever-changing international market, are encouraging and all the signs are that these fantastic growth rates will continue." | Ms Ferguson said: "These figures, set against a competitive and ever-changing international market, are encouraging and all the signs are that these fantastic growth rates will continue." |
She said the executive, and the industry, aimed to increase tourism revenues by 50% over the next decade. | She said the executive, and the industry, aimed to increase tourism revenues by 50% over the next decade. |
"To achieve this, the private sector and public sector must build on their already excellent working relationship to ensure Scotland remains a must-visit return destination," she said. | "To achieve this, the private sector and public sector must build on their already excellent working relationship to ensure Scotland remains a must-visit return destination," she said. |
Ms Ferguson announced that tourism agency VisitScotland would receive an extra £800,000 for more marketing of direct air services to Scotland. | Ms Ferguson announced that tourism agency VisitScotland would receive an extra £800,000 for more marketing of direct air services to Scotland. |
VisitScotland chief executive Philip Riddle said: "This success is not down to VisitScotland alone, it is also testament to the hard work and enthusiasm of Scotland's tourism industry. | VisitScotland chief executive Philip Riddle said: "This success is not down to VisitScotland alone, it is also testament to the hard work and enthusiasm of Scotland's tourism industry. |
Transport connections | Transport connections |
"To ensure that we build on this success and foster growth in the UK and international markets, we must continue to work together." | "To ensure that we build on this success and foster growth in the UK and international markets, we must continue to work together." |
The figures revealed that there were 1.59 million visitors in 2001 and in 2002, 1.57 million in 2003, 1.88 million in 2004 and 2.39 million in 2005. | |
VisitScotland said the large annual increase was partly explained by the inclusion for the first time of Prestwick Airport as a sampling point. | VisitScotland said the large annual increase was partly explained by the inclusion for the first time of Prestwick Airport as a sampling point. |
The SNP's tourism spokesman Fergus Ewing said Scotland needed world-class transport connections to attract greater numbers of tourists in the future. | The SNP's tourism spokesman Fergus Ewing said Scotland needed world-class transport connections to attract greater numbers of tourists in the future. |
VisitScotland is to receive an extra £800,000 for marketing | |
Jamie McGrigor, the Conservative tourism spokesman, said the executive's scrapping of local tourist boards had led to discontent within the industry. | Jamie McGrigor, the Conservative tourism spokesman, said the executive's scrapping of local tourist boards had led to discontent within the industry. |
The comments came ahead of a debate on the final stage of the Tourist Boards (Scotland) Bill on Wednesday. | |
The bill formalises a shake-up which has seen 14 area tourist boards replaced by a single integrated VisitScotland. | |
The SNP supported the bill but called on the executive to take steps to encourage more direct connections between Scotland and the US. | |
The Conservatives said the new set-up was over-centralised. |
Previous version
1
Next version