Tourism generated over £290 million for Dundee's economy last year, according to fresh research released today.
The latest Scottish Tourism Economic Activity Monitor (STEAM) report revealed a significant increase in visitors and spending in the city compared to the previous year.
In 2023, the economic impact of tourism surged by 36% from 2019, the last complete year before the pandemic's severe economic disruption.
Annual visitors to Dundee have risen by 10% during this period, reaching 1.35 million, including a 27% increase in overnight stays.
Dundee hosted several events in 2023 which attracted a lot of including Radio 1's Big Weekend and the WUKF World Karate Championships.
Councillor Steven Rome, Dundee’s Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure Convener, stated:
“These figures are extremely encouraging, showing that the economic benefit of the sector has rebounded since the pandemic and is growing year-on-year. It’s great to see so many people discovering they can do it all in Dundee, particularly staying overnight, which has been a key focus. We know there are still challenges for some operators in the sector, but the city is working hard to attract people to spend time and money in our city. That includes hosting events such as the hugely successful Radio 1’s Big Weekend at Camperdown Park last year, and the fantastic Tartan exhibition at V&A Dundee. This research shows how important tourism and the visitor economy are to our vision for a strong, smart, and sustainable local economy with jobs and opportunities for all. Dundee is a great place to visit, whether for business or pleasure, and when people arrive they discover how much there is to do and see and what a warm welcome they get.”
The STEAM report highlighted that around half of the economic impact was in the accommodation and food and drink sectors, with retail, recreation, and transport also benefiting.
Direct employment in the tourism sector grew by 6.3%, from 2502 jobs in 2019 to 2659 last year.
Isabel Bruce, Chair of Dundee’s Tourism Leadership Group, added:
“These figures demonstrate the hard work of Dundee’s tourism businesses is paying off, and we are proud to play such a prominent role in the city’s economic recovery. With our warm welcome, breathtaking location, delicious food, gorgeous places to stay, and world-class culture and leisure offerings, we are seeing an increasing number of visitors from across the UK and around the world happily choosing to put Dundee on their map.”
Headline photo by Craig Doogan
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