The latest figures suggest that the economic impact of tourism rose by a massive £11 million in 2017, with an extra 50,000 visitors compared to the previous year, representing the biggest ever surge in tourism in the area.
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| Moray and Speyside tourism booming due to a surge of interest in Scotch whisky |
Visitor numbers have been increasing dramatically in recent years, with the region consistently outperforming the vast majority of other areas surveyed in Scotland. Since 2009, an extra 177,000 people have visited the area, spending an additional £92 million.
The popularity of the television series Outlander was recently credited for a rise in overall visitor numbers to Scotland. However, experts believe that a range of factors are fuelling tourism growth in the Moray, including a surge in the interest of Scotch whisky.
Commenting on the news, James Johnston OBE, Chair of the Malt Whisky Trial, said: “Speyside has the highest concentration of whisky distilleries in the world and we know that three out of five visitors to our beautiful region go to a distillery. There is a booming interest in whisky worldwide and many distilleries on The Malt Whisky Trail are investing in new visitor experiences so that they can give rising numbers of tourists an unforgettable experience."
He went onto say: "As well as offering a fascinating glimpse into the history of Scotch, the region has golden beaches, deep pine forests, abundant wildlife and snow-capped hills. There is plenty to do for both whisky lovers and those who want to see an unspoilt corner of Scotland, encouraging more visitors and longer stays which is important for the regions economy.”
Moray Speyside Tourism, have also said that the figures mean that the region is on target to double the value of tourism to the region to over £160m per year by 2025.
Posted by Steve Rush