Spain tops for sun-seeking Scots

More than one million Scots visited Spain in 2008

Spain is still the most popular overseas holiday destination for sun-seeking Scots, new figures have revealed.

More than 1.2 million passengers jetted out to the country from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports in 2008, their operator BAA Scotland said.

This was twice as many as the Netherlands, which was second, while Ireland was third.

France and Germany overtook the USA, rising to fourth and fifth.

Norway also entered the top 10 for the first time.

Four of Spain's airports - Alicante, Malaga, Tenerife and Palma - were among the top 10 destinations flown to by Scottish travellers.

It seems that Spain is as popular now with Scots as it has ever been Donald Morrison BAA Scotland

The most popular single destination was Amsterdam, with 530,000 Scots travelling there.

The Dutch capital is a popular tourist city in its own right - but is also a major international hub for onward connections.

Dublin was the second most visited city, with Paris jumping from sixth place last year to third place this year, with its numbers being boosted by new services from Glasgow.

BAA Scotland spokesman Donald Morrison said: "It seems that Spain is as popular now with Scots as it has ever been, and with the top three most popular countries unchanged from last year, you could argue that we are becoming creatures of habit.

"However, with France and Germany knocking the US - traditionally one of our most popular tourist markets - into sixth place, and Norway entering the top ten for the first time, perhaps tastes are beginning to change."

Newark airport in New York was the most popular long haul destination, followed by Dubai, Orlando Sanford and Toronto.

New services

The Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh entered the top five for the first time, while New York's JFK airport and the Caribbean resort of Puerto Plata made their first appearance in the top 10.

Airport operator BAA Scotland said it aimed to defy the credit crunch by increasing capacity in 2009, despite the economic slowdown which has seen worldwide airline cuts.

Almost half a million extra seats will be on sale from its three Scottish airports, with new services to Norway, Canada, the Caribbean and other destinations.

Mr Morrison said: "There is no doubt that 2008 was a challenging year for the airline industry in Scotland, and 2009 will be no less difficult.

"With demand falling, and airlines around the world reducing capacity, Scotland is not immune to the current economic decline.

"However, with almost half a million new seats on sale in 2009, we have shown that it is possible to attract new business, offering more choice for Scottish holidaymakers and boosting inbound tourism."