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the Press Release Index
31st May 2009
Tourist Trends On The Move
North East MSP Alex Johnstone is hoping that
falling fuel prices may benefit the local tourism industry
following an analysis of data released by VisitScotland.
Commenting on the new figures, Mr Johnstone
said "Overall, the statistics provide a mixed bag. On the
downside, passenger numbers at Scotland's airports fell at
their fastest rate earlier in the year as the global
recession started to impact on visitor numbers from abroad.
However this is countered by projections in a sharp rise of
camping and touring holiday visitors to Scotland from other
parts of the UK and northern Europe, aided in part by a
strong Euro."
The Conservative MSP continued "This may
well benefit Aberdeenshire on a number of levels. First of
all, coach trips which favour destinations Stonehaven, will
continue to be affordable to people. On top of that, the
National Caravan Council predicts a visitor increase of
tourers to Scotland of twenty percent, which in real terms
translates to over one hundred thousand extra trips."
"High fuel costs were cited as a reason for
poor bookings at caravan sites in 2008, but anecdotally,
sites are reporting a sharp increase in bookings, with many
more people expected to book with shorter lead in times in
the hope that they will get a better deal."
Mr Johnstone concluded "Whilst I am deeply
concerned at the fall in passenger numbers at our Scottish
airports, there is some good news in there. Those businesses
in Stonehaven and the Mearns who look to the tourism
industry as a major part of their income may wish to
re-focus their target market to take these changes into
account and I would urge business owners to look carefully
at their marketing strategies so that they can benefit from
these changing market trends."
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