Overseas visits to Scotland ‘promising' says tourism minister

The prospects for Scottish tourism this year look promising, Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, minister for tourism at the Scottish Office, said last week.

His comments came as the Scottish Tourism Co-ordinating Group, of which he is chairman, revealed figures showing that the value of overseas tourism to Scotland grew by about 2% to £765m in 1994.

However, the decline in tourism from England resulted in the overall value falling from £2.2b in 1993 to £2.01b - a trend the Scottish Office is hoping to reverse by funding a marketing campaign being undertaken by the Scottish Tourist Board.

"In those areas targeted, this has already raised awareness of Scotland as a visitor destination among the important ABC1 market by 10%," he commented.

He said he was also pleased to note efforts to improve the tourism product. "Those in the industry who maintain high standards of service have a clear market advantage," he added.

"It is clear to me that the industry has an opportunity to set itself on the road to continued growth."