Tourists pumped more than £200 million into Angus last year.
Despite dwindling numbers at visitor information centres which led to a shake-up of front-facing tourist provision, a new report has revealed visitors numbers and the total days they spent in Angus both increased last year.
Those increases translated into a welcome 10.1% hike in economic impact, breaking a new barrier to hit a total of £201.75m.
Council chiefs say they are continuing to work on making tourist information available to visitors and the authority is in the midst of a digital tourist information kiosk pilot project which could be extended across the area if it proves a hit.
Angus chief executive Richard Stiff reported the increase as part of an update on visitor information provision to the council’s policy and resources committee.
The figures emerged from STEAM research which generates data from analysis of four key visitor types: staying in serviced accommodation; staying in non-serviced accommodation, staying with friends and relatives and day visitors.
Mr Stiff said: “In 2014, visitor days were up 6.5% from the previous year at 2,291,570. However, visitor numbers were only up 2.7% to 957,390.
“The economic impact of these visitors was up 10.1% to £201.75m.
“This means that our visitors are staying longer and spent significantly more than in 2013.
“Both the serviced and non-serviced accommodation sectors performed well, but day visitors were down by 1.7%.”
Earlier this year, councillors took the decision to give a stay of execution to the last VisitScotland tourist information centre in Angus with a £27,500 commitment towards the running of the unit at Arbroath harbour visitor centre until March next year.
The move followed the tourist body’s withdrawal from the Pictavia centre, near Brechin which closed a year ago due to falling revenues.
Brechin library now provides visitor information and as well as additional visitor training for council staff, digital information kiosks have been installed at Glamis Castle, Carnoustie Golf Hotel and Peel Farm, Lintrathen.
“These are interactive touchscreen kiosks giving information about visitor attractions, accommodation, places to eat etc.,” added Mr Stiff.
“This is a pilot project for two years after which it will be reviewed and extended if successful.”