Skip to contentSkip to navigation
LinkedInInstagramYouTube
  • Home
  • News
  • Events
  • Contact Us
  • Search this site

Economic impact of tourism exceeds £1 billion | ONE

Site Navigation

  • About ONE
    nav-arrow About ONE
    nav-arrow 2024 ONE Annual Event
    nav-arrow Transformational Leadership and Action
    nav-arrow Who We Are
    nav-arrow Delivery and Impact
    nav-arrow Regional Economy
    nav-arrow ONE Enterprise Fund
  • Transformational Projects
    nav-arrow Transformational Projects
    nav-arrow ONE BioHub
    nav-arrow ONE SeedPod
    nav-arrow ONE Tech Hub
    nav-arrow Seafood Transformation Project
    nav-arrow North East Adventure Tourism
  • Digital Tech
    nav-arrow Digital Tech
    nav-arrow ONE Tech Hub
    nav-arrow Transformational Leadership and Action
    nav-arrow Meeting and event space at ONE Tech Hub
    nav-arrow Accelerate Growth
    nav-arrow ONE Business Growth Programme 2024
    nav-arrow Digital Catalyst
    nav-arrow The EnergyTech Bridge Programme
    nav-arrow Internationalisation and Market Development
    nav-arrow Graduates into Business Programme
    nav-arrow Strategic Partnerships
  • Energy
    nav-arrow Energy
    nav-arrow Energy
  • Food, Drink & Agriculture
    nav-arrow Food, Drink & Agriculture
    nav-arrow Transformational Leadership and Action
    nav-arrow ONE SeedPod
    nav-arrow Accelerate Growth
    nav-arrow Transform Food Production
    nav-arrow Internationalisation and Market Development
    nav-arrow Strategic Partnerships
    nav-arrow Graduates into Business Programme
  • Life Sciences
    nav-arrow Life Sciences
    nav-arrow ONE BioHub
    nav-arrow Transformational Leadership and Action
    nav-arrow ICURe Discover North East Scotland
    nav-arrow Accelerate Growth
    nav-arrow Digital Catalyst
    nav-arrow Internationalisation and Market Development
    nav-arrow Strategic Partnerships
  • Tourism
    nav-arrow Tourism
    nav-arrow Transformational Leadership and Action
    nav-arrow VisitAberdeenshire
    nav-arrow Accelerate Growth
    nav-arrow Gourmet Food Festival
    nav-arrow North East Adventure Tourism
  • Home
  • News
  • Events
  • Contact Us
News
Tourism
Posted: 16 May 2024
Economic impact of tourism in North-east of Scotland exceeds £1 billion milestone

New analysis of tourism data has highlighted the significant economic impact of the Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire visitor economy, valuing more than £1.1 billion of economic impact in 2023 alone.

  • The region attracted over 3 million staying visitors in 2023, up 47.1% on 2019
  • The tourism sector directly employed 11,000 full-time equivalent jobs in 2023, across Aberdeen city and Aberdeenshire, a 16.7% increase on 2019.  
  • Aberdeen city and Aberdeenshire welcomed over 2.5 million day visitors, up 18.7% on 2019

Latest figures from independent research conducted by Global Tourism Solutions (GTS) using their Scottish Tourism Economic Activity Monitor (STEAM) model show an increase of 32% on tourism’s economic impact since 2019.

Growth was driven by more than three million visitors staying overnight in the North-east in 2023, and boosted by those travelling to the region on day visits which were also up on 2019’s numbers, with 2.5million visitors experiencing the region’s quality tourism and hospitality products and experiences.

Key information was gathered from bed stock, occupancy data and visitor attractions data, as well as intelligence from festival organisers, festivals and events, venues and transport providers to provide an aggregated overview of activity in the region in the last year.

Chris Foy, Chief Executive at VisitAberdeenshire, said: “It is extremely encouraging to see clear evidence that tourism is not just bouncing back, but is a burgeoning, vibrant sector that is making a difference to lives and livelihoods from Aberdeen to Alford and from St Cyrus to Sandend. A combination of investment in high quality infrastructure by the public and private sector and investment in VisitAberdeenshire’s work by Opportunity North East, and our local authorities is bearing fruit.

“At the heart of this story is the resilience, ingenuity and vision of tourism and hospitality businesses who are collectively employing more than 11,000 people in jobs that fit with lifestyles and open up new career prospects as the North East economy continues to diversify.”

“We know now that tourism is growing at pace, but we cannot afford to stand still. As a destination, we are scratching the surface of what is possible.”

Jennifer Craw, CEO of Opportunity North East (ONE), said: “These figures demonstrate positive momentum. The progress achieved with visitors staying longer and spending more is due to the ambition, commitment and hard work of those working in tourism. It is a key growth sector for the region and vital to long-term economic diversification. ONE has invested in the sector over the past eight years with regional and national partners: including core funding for VisitAberdeenshire, developing and leading the North East Adventure Tourism project, building the sector’s talent pipeline with the Hospitality Apprenticeship North East programme, and growing food tourism with the Provenance Festival. The region has a rich and growing offer for UK and international visitors – from food and drink and city breaks to adventure tourism and heritage, all set in an outstanding natural environment. ONE will continue to support and seek additional resources to enable the people and businesses leading tourism in the region to fulfil their full potential and deliver high-skill jobs.”

NEAT 2024
Stay up to date
Sign up to hear about Opportunity North East’s latest sector events and regional news.
By signing up to receive our newsletter, you accept our Privacy policy and Terms and Conditions. We will never share any of your personal data, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Your privacy matters to us so if you want to find out more on how we keep your data safe, view our Privacy Notice or talk to ONE direct.

news
NEWS | VisitAberdeenshire appoints Stephen Gow to lead Board of Directors
Apr 29 2025
NEWS | Finalists announced in food and drink industry awards recognising innovation
Apr 17 2025
NEWS | Seventh cohort graduate from tourism growth initiative with bold vision for businesses
Apr 09 2025

Follow Us

LinkedInInstagramYouTube
contact

Opportunity North East Ltd

11 Queens Gardens
Aberdeen
AB15 4YD

+44 (0)1224 061100

info@opportunitynortheast.com

  • About One
    2024 ONE Annual EventTransformational Leadership and ActionWho We AreDelivery and ImpactRegional EconomyONE Enterprise Fund
  • Transformational Projects
    ONE BioHubONE SeedPodONE Tech HubSeafood Transformation ProjectNorth East Adventure TourismGourmet Food Festival
  • Digital Tech
    Transformational Leadership and ActionONE Tech HubAccelerate GrowthDigital CatalystInternationalisation and Market DevelopmentStrategic PartnershipsThe EnergyTech Bridge Programme
  • Energy
    Energy
  • Food, Drink & Agriculture
    Transformational Leadership and ActionONE SeedPodAccelerate GrowthTransform Food ProductionInternationalisation and Market DevelopmentStrategic Partnerships
  • Life Sciences
    Transformational Leadership and ActionONE BioHubAccelerate GrowthDigital CatalystInternationalisation and Market DevelopmentStrategic Partnerships
  • Tourism
    Transformational Leadership and ActionVisitAberdeenshireAccelerate GrowthGourmet Food FestivalNorth East Adventure Tourism
ONE (en-GB)
Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions