New data shows tourism in the south of Scotland has increased by 20 per cent.
The figures from STEAM (Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor) indicate the area increased visitor economy to £911 million (up £150m from last year), created 15,652 more jobs and increased visitor numbers by more than five million.
Kate Forbes, deputy First Minister, said: “Tourism is vitally important to the South of Scotland economy, supporting hundreds of businesses and thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
“With so many attractions, beauty spots and wonderful landscapes attracting both day trippers and overnight to the region, the South of Scotland Responsible Tourism Strategy is rightfully ambitious.”
The data also shows that the 2025 Covid recovery targets of visitor economy of £750 million supporting 14,000 jobs were met two and a half years early.
A Tourism Strategy for the region was launched in March and co-authored by Scottish Borders Council, VisitScotland, the SSDA, South of Scotland Enterprise, Dumfries and Galloway Council and local businesses and communities.
The strategy set a ten-year target of increasing the annual economic benefit of responsible tourism in the area by one Billion pounds and support a further 6000 jobs.
The data shows that the strategy is already ahead of the target to meet the annual economic growth.
David Hope-Jones OBE, South of Scotland Destination Alliance CEO, said: “We recognise that there are huge challenges for local businesses, with profitability harder than ever.
“This is why it’s so important we plan ambitiously, think strategically, work collaboratively, and act decisively.
"We need to be louder and prouder than ever: telling the world all the South of Scotland has to offer so we attract responsible, high-spending visitors.
“Tourism is everyone's business. Done well, it provides quality jobs, attracts real investment, and supports the products and services which local communities also enjoy.”
The deputy First Minster met with the chief executive of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA), the tourism body for the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway, during a visit to Newtown St Boswells on Monday to discuss the visitor economy in the region.
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