Nature-based tourism is already worth at least £1.4 billion a year to the Scottish economy and the sector looks set to expand further


The wild side of tourism


Tourism spending on nature-based activities brings in £1.4 billion a year, accounts for nearly 40% of all tourism spending in Scotland and supports 39,000 full-time jobs. Those were the headline figures in a recent report that underlined the value of Scotland’s nature to the overall economy.


The largest contributors are walking and landscape tourism, which together bring in at least £900 million. Adventure activities – such as mountain biking, canoeing and kayaking – are worth £178m, and field sports – including game shooting, deer stalking and angling – generate £136m. Wildlife tourism produces a further £127m through activities such as bird


watching, dolphin watching and practical conservation holidays, making it the main driver behind more than a million trips to Scotland each year. Nature-based tourism is certainly well recognised in the Outer Hebrides,


where encounters with seals, otters, dolphins, seabirds and even the shy corncrake are commonplace for residents. Television programmes such as the recent Great Climb 2010 in Harris


and Cameron McNeish’s Hebridean Trail have helped highlight not only the exceptional environment of theWestern Isles but also the wide range of outdoor and adventure activities to be enjoyed there. Now, a group of tourism businesses is aiming to make the islands a


destination of excellence for nature-based tourism, aided by a two-year project that will develop the outdoor experience for visitors. Under a project known as Tourism Hebrides, communications for visitors will


be improved to let people know what they can expect to see, where and at what time of year. “We’ve always known how special our islands are,” commented Anne Ryan of


Tourism Hebrides, “but we haven’t always been as good as some other areas at getting that message across. “Many people are already aware of places like St Kilda, which hasWorld


Heritage status, and the standing stones at Calanais, which predate Stonehenge. But the opportunity to play a part in developing other aspects of tourism in the islands is hugely exciting. “We’re aiming to work with tourism businesses across the islands to promote


the fantastic natural assets that we have here. It won't be too long before visitors will be able to reap the benefits, through improved publications, signage and information sharing.” A couple of initiatives linked to 2011 will also help spread the message.


This is Scotland’s Year of Islands Culture and it’s also the basis for a year-long focus on Scotland as a leading active travel destination. Active Scotland will unite the tourism industry in a drive to encourage visitors to come to Scotland and experience the vast and varied range of activities on offer. There will be an


26 The Nature of Scotland


Tourist boats moored in Village Bay on St Kilda.


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