Scottish hotels show signs of recovery after poor 2001

The number of overseas visitors to Scotland was down by 6% during 2001, but there were early signs of a recovery in the first three months of 2002 as hotel occupancies hit a five-year high.

As well as the 6% drop in visitor numbers, their spending was down by 14%.

But visits from the USA were up by 2% and the amount spent by Americans rose by 8%. Visitscotland, the former Scottish Tourist Board, said this showed that Scotland was on course for a good year until 11 September.

Visitors from Europe were also up, by 3%, but their spending was down by 19%. This reflected the increase in short-break holidays, said Visitscotland.

Also up were visitor numbers from Ireland (by 155%) and from the Netherlands (by 35%).

Visitscotland chief executive Philip Riddle said: "The decreases in some of our traditionally strong markets are disappointing, but being realistic we have to acknowledge that foot-and-mouth and latterly 11 September were going to have an impact."

Hotel occupancy figures for the first three months of 2002, however, gave some cause for optimism.

They averaged 49% over the period - the highest for five years and up by 3% on the same period in 2001. Hotel occupancies in March were up by 5% on last year at 55%.

Occupancy levels in guesthouses, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation in Scotland also increased.

Said Riddle: "These figures are very encouraging for all involved in the tourism sector after what has been a very difficult 12 months."