Scotland's tourism industry continues to prosper

Tourism is a continuing success story for the Scottish economy, worth more than £5 billion. Last year record numbers visited and the trend appears set to continue in 2018. A major factor in its popularity is the stress placed on the unique Celtic culture of Scotland. Along with its thousands of historic sites, including prehistoric stone circles, standing stones, burial chambers, and Bronze Age, Iron Age and Stone Age remains. Visitors are also drawn by the many historic castles, houses, and battlegrounds, ruins and museums.  The natural beauty of Scotland is also a vital factor and it is generally seen as a clean, unspoiled destination with beautiful scenery.

The way that the country has been marketed has also led to this growing success. With an emphasis being placed on higher quality accommodation and good levels of customer service. This in turn encourages return visitors and a reputation that leads to Scotland being recommended as a good place to visit. Recently released figures show that there was a 15 percent increase in overseas arrivals last year. Combined numbers of domestic and overseas tourists in Scotland shows an increased of two percent, taking the tally to 14.1 million visitors.