The latest six month tourism trend report for Dumfries & Galloway shows an encouraging increase in visitor numbers and tourism spend.
Visitor numbers for the region rose by 3.8% in the 6 months to June, while tourists spent 4.7% more over the period. Due to the significant impact from Gretna and Gretna Green, separate figures show an impressive 6.9% increase in visitors and a 12.3% increase in visitor spend.
Employment in the tourism sector of the region has also shown an increase of 2.8% with an additional 188 direct and indirect jobs created during the 6 month period.
They also showed an economic impact of £142.6 million for the first 6 months, an increase of 4.6% and comparable with 2010 figures.
Councillor Colin Smyth, chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure committee said:
“Tourism is a key sector to the economy of Dumfries & Galloway and this interim report shows encouraging signs that our region is beginning to recover from the tough economic climate over the past few years. Our Council is committed to supporting the local economy as its number one priority and by working together, the region’s tourism businesses can capitalise on our fantastic assets and encourage more visitors to experience what Dumfries & Galloway has to offer.”
The full annual report for 2014 is expected in March 2015.
The figures are released by Global Tourism Solutions who produce the Scottish Tourism Economic Activity Monitor (STEAM) report on behalf of Dumfries & Galloway Council.
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