Angus visitor figures broke through the million mark in a bumper 2017 which pumped more than £230 million into the local economy.
As data continues to show a year-on-year rise in the number of tourists coming to the area, tourism chiefs say they are confident the success of this summer’s Open Championship at Carnoustie will continue to support an upward curve in the “vital” sector which supports more than 3,500 jobs.
Research has revealed a 5% rise in tourism visits carried the county to the 1,081,850 visitor total for last year.
Serviced accommodation visitor numbers grew by a 16% over the previous year, with day visitors up 4% in the same period.
The statistics emerged from annual tourism research by independent researcher Global Tourism Solutions (UK), confirming a trend which has seen visitor numbers to Angus rise by almost a third since 2010.
Glamis Castle remains the biggest draw for visitors, pulling in around 100,000 tourists from home and abroad each year.
Angus Council tourism spokesman, Montrose Conservative councillor Ron Sturrock said: “Tourism is vital to the local economy and 2017 was another strong year for Angus.
“It’s extremely satisfying that the visitor figures for Angus continue to increase year-on-year. “Angus has so much to offer visitors, from its coastline and beaches to its unique attractions and stunning landscapes, not to mention our golf courses and fantastic local food and drink.”
With the glorious summer of 2018 and much-needed accommodation developments on the horizon, hopes are high the figures will continue to see impressive growth.
“The attention of the world was on Angus this summer as thousands came to enjoy the 147th Open at Carnoustie and I have no doubt that this will be reflected in next year’s figures,” said Mr Sturrock.
A record-breaking influx of 172,000 golf fans converged on the Angus links in July, easily surpassing the 157,00 from 1999, the year Scot Paul Lawrie captured the famous Claret Jug in a nail-biting finale.
Mr Sturrock added: “I am sure that many of the visitors to the Open will want to return and those who saw our stunning county on screen will wish to come and discover the area for themselves.”
Ann-Marie Black from the Angus Tourism Cooperative said, “It’s an exciting time for tourism in Angus and as an industry, we’re determined to work together to maximise every opportunity. “Angus is a fantastic place to visit and I’m delighted to see that 2017 has been another successful year for tourism in the area.”
Overall, 40% of visitors stayed in the area for one or more nights, the remaining 60 per cent being day visitors.
History and heritage remain the main attractions, but fresh impetus is being given to diversifying the tourism offering in an effort to broaden the area’s appeal.
Angus Council’s economic development division supported the establishment of the Angus Tourism Cooperative (ATC) in 2017 and its activity includes a drive to promote the county as a dog-friendly destination, with a search for Angus Ambassadogs currently underway.
Montrose port also welcomed its first cruise ship in August, leading to hopes it will become a regular stop-off destination.
Mr Sturrock added: “It’s an exciting time for tourism in the region, with the opening of V&A Dundee.
“Angus has been working with local authority partners in Dundee, Perth and Kinross and Fife for some time to promote the region as Scotland’s Tay Country.”
Surveys have shown overseas tourism in a Scottish context to have enjoyed a welcome upturn in 2017, with visits increasing by 4.3% and spending rising almost 9% from the previous year.
