NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Use 16 December 2009 PERTHSHIRE TOURISM DOWN A recent report commissioned by VisitScotland found that Perthshire has seen a 3.4% drop in tourists in the January – October 2009 period compared to the January – October 2008 period: one of only three areas in Scotland that has seen a fall in visitor numbers in the past year. Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has called on VisitScotland to do more to promote Perthshire as a tourist destination. The 2009 Scottish Visitor Attraction Barometer Report found that visitor numbers to Perthshire were down 3.4% (a fall from 544,009 visitors to 525,330 visitors). Across Scotland, visitor numbers were up overall 3.6%, with the Scottish Borders up 14.4% the Highlands up 9.8%, Edinburgh up 4.2% and Glasgow up 3%. The figures and full report can be found at: http://www.visitscotland.org/visitor_attraction_barometer_october_2009.pdf Commenting, Murdo said: “Tourism is Perthshire’s biggest industry and it is worrying to see that visitor numbers to Perthshire have dropped this year by 3.4%, meaning we have seen 20,000 fewer visitors to the area compared to last year. What is even more worrying is that Perthshire is only one of three areas in Scotland that has seen a drop in visitor numbers, with areas like the Highlands enjoying 250,000 extra visitors. “The changes to VisitScotland and centralising the organisation have created an organisation which is less accountable to the tourism industry in Perthshire and local tourism operators cannot put their case on how best to market the area. The voices of local tourism operators must be heard at the top of the industry in order for local needs to be met and local opportunities to be developed. “I believe that there is not enough focus from VisitScotland and the SNP Government on Perth & Kinross, even though there is so much on offer. Perthshire has unspoilt scenery coupled with towns and many tourist attractions. There are numerous whisky distilleries, famous cathedrals and castles, world-renowned fishing grounds and so forth. People can come here for an experience that many places in the world cannot offer and this must be conveyed strongly by the tourism sector. “VisitScotland and the other SNP Government’s agencies must do more for tourism promotion in Perthshire.” ENDS   back to top of page