Summer boost for tourism in north

Tourists were attracted to the north of Scotland in summer 2004

The tourism industry in the north of Scotland had a successful summer, new figures have shown.

The VisitScotland data revealed that accommodation providers in Aberdeen, Grampian and the Highlands were busier in June and July.

The biggest rise was in hotels, where room bookings were up an average of three per cent over the previous year.

Self-catering accommodation was close behind with a two per cent increase on the same time in 2003.

This was compared to a one per cent Scotland-wide fall in this type of occupancy.

Ian Dunlop, Aberdeen and Grampian Tourist Board's chief executive, said the data was good news for Aberdeen and Grampian Highlands.

"Despite the unpredictable weather we experienced this summer, we have seen significant increases in room occupancy from last year - even though there was glorious weather during the summer of 2003," he went on.

'Very encouraging'

"Room occupancy is our standard indicator for gauging the influx of visitors to the area as, regardless of whether visitors attend events, drive around the countryside, or visit attractions, they generally need to stay somewhere.

"June and July's figures are very encouraging and show Aberdeen and Grampian Highlands has built upon last year's excellent summer tourist season. We will endeavour to keep the momentum going."

Guest house and bed and breakfast occupancy increased by 6% in June, but then fell by one per cent on the 2003 total in July.

A spokeswoman for VisitScotland said: "Accommodation occupancy levels are recorded monthly via a postal survey which is carried out by TNS Travel and Tourism, an independent research agency, on behalf of VisitScotland."

The survey covers a number of accommodation sectors including:

• Hotels

• Guest houses

• Bed and breakfasts self-catering accommodation

• Camping and caravan parks

• Hostels.

The tourism trade is worth £500m to Aberdeen and Grampian and employs more than 26,000 people in the area.