‘Astonishing’ rise in tourist numbers

Inverness has become a tourist hot spot, with its hotels recording “astonishing” rises in occupancy and revenue.

Year-on-year revenue, known as “rooms yield”, was up 18 per cent in December, according to a monthly study by accountant and business adviser PKF, while the month’s occupancy rates rose by 29.8 per cent compared with the same period last year.

This was against a 5.3 per cent increase in occupancy and a 1.4 per cent rise in revenue across Scotland over the same period.Glasgow had a 2.3 per cent rise in occupancy and a 2.9 per cent fall in revenue. Edinburgh’s occupancy and revenue rose by 5.4 and 0.1 per cent respectively.

Alastair Rae, of PKF, said: “Inverness has had an excellent year, with staycationers among the most likely reasons for its considerably improved performance.”

Figures for the whole of 2011 showed Scottish hotels outstripped every part of the UK, apart from London.