Tourism News Scotland

Scotland and the ‘Staycation’ 6th July 2011

According to a news article on the Scottish Government website today the ‘staycation’ is apparently good news for Scotland, according to a new report which claims that Scots are choosing to stay and spend more at home, with Scots making 6.4 million overnight visits and spending £1 billion pounds in their own country in 2010. 

In contrast, the article notes that data from the 2010 International Passenger Survey showed an 8 per cent drop in overseas visitors to Scotland however there were positive increases in visits from key European markets such as Germany and Sweden as well as increased visits from Australia.

In increasingly difficult and competitive times for tourism destinations, what is clear is that it is more important than ever for Scotland to ensure that the quality of its tourism offering is first-class, and that visitors continue to receive value for money and excellent customer service.  Read the full article here.

London voted Europe’s most exciting city in latest TripAdvisor Poll  6th July 2011

PR Newswire reveals that London has been voted the most exciting city in Europe according Trip Advisor’s latest annual European Cities Survey for 2011.  Edinburgh was voted Europe’s most third underrated city, while Glasgow was voted the most underrated European city by UK travellers.

Best of Scotland’s Outdoor Activities matched up with Food in Free Guide 27th June 2011

A new free guide featuring ten outdoor activities in Scotland and matching them with local places to eat including restaurants, tearooms and cafes, has been published as part of the legacy of Scotland’s Year of Food & Drink, which ended 31st May 2011. The guide, part of Visit Scotland’s UK “Surprise Yourself” campaign and titled “An Appetite for Adventure – A Gastronomic Guide to Scotland’s Great Outdoors” is now available from Visit Scotland Tourist Information Centres and branches of Waterstones bookshops and can also be downloaded online. Featured pursuits include Munro-bagging on the Isle of Skye and sea-kayaking around Arran. Download the guide here.

Glasgow’s New Riverside Museum Opens its Doors 21st June 2011

Glasgow’s new Riverside museum is finally open! Designed by architect Zaha Hadid and offering up more than 3,000 exhibits, the Riverside museum is the first major museum to open in Glasgow since the opening of the Burrell Collection back in 1983. The Tall Ship, The Glenlee, also re-opens alongside the new museum, offering another interesting attraction in the same area; while a new ferry service, Clyde Clippers, will run across the river Clyde between Govan and the new Kelvin Harbour.