Despite current economic conditions, Scotland’s tourism industry is flourishing. Across the board, industries are recording a bumper year, with some declaring revenues are up by as much as 25 per cent on 2009. In Edinburgh this evening, the tourist industry will be celebrating at the Scottish Thistle Awards.

Ahead of the celebrations, VisitScotland’s chairman, Mike Cantlay, has called upon the organisations new CEO, Malcolm Roughead, to protect the budgets allocated to marketing the country. The tourist industry in Scotland currently employs around 200,000 people and generates £11 billion each year. Some are praising the industry for helping the country get through the current economic climate.

However, spending cuts announced by the coalition government could do some damage. VisitBritain and VisitEngland have already been told that their budgets will be reduced by 34 per cent over four years. Mr Cantlay said plans to reduce VisitScotland’s expenditure over the next three years by 20 per cent are short-sighted. He added that it was mad to talk about reducing budgets at a time when tourism in Scotland was booming.

He went on to point out that the potential for growth was massive, and that campaigns should be launched to highlight the various attractions of the country such as the islands and adventure holidays.

VisitScotland is currently trying to attract visitors from around the UK and encourage those living in Scotland to consider the country as a place in which to take a holiday. According to research some 40 per cent of those living in Scotland have never taken a holiday there.