SCOTCH whisky tourism grew to record levels last year, according to new figures from the industry body.
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) reported almost 1.9 million visits to Scotch whisky visitor centres in 2017, up 11.4% on 2016 and a rise of 45% since 2010.
Tourist spend was also up, increasing by 15.6% to £60.9m last year. The average spend per visitor increased slightly year-on-year to £32.22, up by £11 since 2010.
Visitor centres reported the highest number of visitors came from Germany and the US, followed by India, China and Japan.
Scotland has 122 malt distilleries, with 66 Scotch whisky visitor centres open to the public, and a further eight which can be visited by appointment.
Karen Betts of the SWA said: “We will continue to work closely and collaboratively with tourist organisations, local councils and the Scottish Government to ensure that Scotland’s tourists have a memorable time visiting our country and experiencing all it
has to offer.”
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