Page last updated: 06 September 2024
Scotland, a region of the United Kingdom, is known for its history and natural landscapes, attracting millions of tourists each year. With its lochs, mountains, and islands, it is a popular destination for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
How many tourists visit Scotland each year?
Over 3 million to 4 million international visitors travelled to Scotland every year since 2017.
- In 2019, the country welcomed over 3.46 million international visitors.
- However, in 2021, the number of international tourists sharply declined to 479,000 due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, representing an 86% decrease compared to 2019.
- Scotland’s tourism sector began to recover in 2022, with 3.23 million international visitors, reflecting a 575% increase over 2021 but still 6% below the 2019 level.
- In 2023, the trend continued with 3.99 million international tourists visiting Scotland, marking a 19% increase compared to the previous year and a 13% rise compared to 2019.1
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Passenger Survey (IPS) was suspended, resulting in no data on Scotland’s tourism between April and December 2020. The available data for that period is modelled.
How many tourists visited Scotland in 2023?
- In 2023, 3.99 million international visitors travelled to Scotland, a 19% increase from 2022 and a 13% increase from 2019.
How many tourists visited Scotland in 2022?
The year 2022 marked the recovery year for Scotland, welcoming 3.24 million international tourists.
- Scotland welcomed 3.24 million international tourists in 2022, indicating a 575% increase over 2020 but still 6% less than 2019 (pre-pandemic).
How much do tourists spend in Scotland each year?
International visitors spend approximately £3 billion in Scotland each year.
- In 2019, international tourism generated £2.55 billion in revenue.
- However, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, tourist spending in 2021 dropped to £462 million.
- In 2022, international tourism spending increased to £3.19 billion, reflecting a 590% increase over the previous year and 25% higher than the 2019 level.
- In 2023, international tourism revenue rose to £3.59 billion, surpassing both 2022 and 2019 levels by 13% and 41%, respectively.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Passenger Survey (IPS) was suspended, and there is no data available for Scotland’s tourism between April and December 2020; only modelled data is available for that period.
How much did tourists spend in Scotland in 2023?
- Visitors spent £3.59 billion in Scotland in 2023, a 13% increase from 2022 and a 41% increase from 2019.
How much did tourists spend in Scotland in 2022?
- In 2022, international tourism in Scotland generated £3.19 billion, a 590% increase from the previous year and 25% higher than in 2019.
How much money does Scotland make from tourism?
- Tourism generates over £4 billion annually for Scotland’s economy, making it one of the country’s key growth industries.2
- The primary reason for visitors to travel to Scotland is its scenery and landscapes, which make it a major tourist attraction. An estimated 40% of all tourism expenditures go toward nature-based travel.
Impact of Coronavirus on Scotland’s tourism sector
The pandemic caused losses that were reported by almost all businesses.3
- A survey conducted between November and December 2020 revealed that most businesses experienced revenue losses ranging from £10,000 to £50,000.
- According to the survey, 58% of businesses reported losses of up to £50,000. One in ten businesses reported losses exceeding £500,000, and 39% reported losses greater than £50,000.
- The pandemic also led to workforce reductions, with 75% of businesses reporting a decrease in staff. Hotels experienced the largest average workforce reductions and were the most likely to have made redundancies.
- In 2021, international visits to Scotland dropped by 86% to 479,000, and tourism revenue fell by 82% to £462 million compared to pre-pandemic levels.
What are the main reasons tourists visit Scotland?
- In 2023, holidays were the main reason for visiting Scotland, with 2.5 million visits (63% of all visits), a 33% increase from 2022.
- Visiting friends and relatives accounted for 1.01 million visits (25%), a 10% increase.
- Business trips accounted for 366,000 visits, or 9% of the total, reflecting a 19% increase from 2022.
- Miscellaneous reasons, including studies, attending sporting events, shopping, health-related visits, religious purposes, and multi-purpose visits, totalled 108,000 visits in 2023. This made up 3% of total visits.
Which country visits Scotland the most?
- In 2022, the United States was the leading source of international visitors, with 693,000 visits. France followed with 266,000 visits, Germany with 236,000, the Netherlands with 212,000, and Spain with 190,000 visits.
- In 2023, the United States remained the top contributor with 794,000 visits, a 13% increase from 2022. Germany became the second highest, surpassing France, with 343,000 visits, a 31% increase from the previous year. France followed with 355,000 visits, the Netherlands with 280,000, and Spain with 201,000 visits.4
Which country spent the most while visiting Scotland?
- In 2022, tourists from the United States spent the most while visiting Scotland, spending £1.2 billion. They were followed by tourists from France, who spent £189 million, Canada with £176 million, Germany with £171 million, and the Netherlands with £135 million.
- In 2023, the United States again led in spending with £1.2 billion. France followed with £277 million, Germany with £247 million, the Netherlands with £165 million, and Spain with £108 million.
UK Travel Resources
How many nights do tourists spend visiting Scotland?
In 2023, international visitors spent a total of 34.35 million nights in Scotland, surpassing the totals from previous years.
- 2019: 27.47 million nights
- 2021: 7.63 million nights
- 2022: 28.66 million nights
What is the most visited city in Scotland?
Scotland is a popular travel destination known for its landscapes and history.5
- Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, is the most visited city, attracting nearly 2.2 million international tourists annually (pre-pandemic). It features a UNESCO World Heritage Site and several historic landmarks.
- Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland, receives about 800,000 international visitors every year (pre-pandemic). It is known for its cultural attractions, including art galleries, festivals, and museums.
- Stirling, famous for Stirling Castle, attracts around 300,000 visitors annually. The city also features the Thistles Centre shopping mall.
- Aberdeen, known as the Granite City, draws approximately 1.1 million visitors each year. Key sites include the Town House, Castlegate, and Marischal College.
- St Andrews is a major destination for golf enthusiasts, with around 200,000 visitors annually. Kellie Castle, dating back to the 14th century, is a notable attraction.
Top Attractions in Scotland
Scotland offers a variety of tourist destinations for visitors with different interests.6
- National Museum of Scotland: Located in Edinburgh, this museum is one of Scotland’s top attractions, known for its extensive collections. It attracts over 2 million visitors annually.
- Edinburgh Castle: A globally recognized symbol of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle is part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site and welcomes over 1.5 million visitors each year.
- Loch Lomond Shores: Located in Balloch, this destination provides indoor and outdoor activities, water sports, shopping, dining, and family-friendly events. It attracts around 1 million visitors annually.
- Royal Botanic Garden: Situated in Edinburgh, this garden is considered one of the finest in the world. It offers a tranquil escape from the city’s hustle and draws over 1 million visitors each year.
- Glasgow Science Centre: A top tourist destination in Scotland, the Glasgow Science Centre presents scientific and technological ideas in engaging ways, attracting around 300,000 visitors annually.
When is the best time to visit Scotland?
The best time to visit Scotland depends on the type of experience travellers seek.
- For those seeking fewer crowds, the best times to visit are spring (March to May), fall (September to November), or winter (December to February), as these periods are outside the peak summer holiday season in the UK.
- The weather in Scotland can be unpredictable, but March to May is generally the driest period, with relatively mild weather during spring.
- For lower prices, visiting during the low season (November to March) is advisable, though some tourist attractions may be closed due to weather.
- To experience the Highlands at their best, the summer season (May to September) is recommended.
When is the tourist season in Scotland?
The peak tourist season in Scotland is during the summer months, particularly from July to September.
- In 2023, approximately 1.44 million international tourists visited Scotland during this period. Visitor spending during these months exceeded £1.5 billion, an 18% increase compared to the same quarter in 2019, before the pandemic.
UK Travel Statistics Resources
Europe Travel Statistics Resources
References
- VisitScotland: International Tourism Performance ↩︎
- NatureScot: Sustainable Tourism ↩︎
- VisitScotland: Impact of Coronavirus ↩︎
- VisitScotland: International Visitors ↩︎
- WorldAtlas: Most Popular Destination in Scotland ↩︎
- VisitScotland: Top Tourist Attractions in Scotland ↩︎
