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Tourism has its attractions

Prospects for the tourism sector in the North-east are bright and visitor numbers are on the rise according to a survey just published by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce.

The survey was carried out among businesses involved in tourism across Aberdeen City and Shire who were asked about current business performance, capacity, promotion and marketing and future trends. The overall results show that businesses are optimistic about their future and believe that there are opportunities for investment and new ventures.

However the report also shows that while businesses feel that they are operating in a supportive local environment they are not satisfied with how well the region has been promoted and marketed.

Other key findings include:

Key findings from the report include:

• Businesses that are keeping costs low are also showing more profitability than businesses that are reporting higher sales or competitiveness but also higher costs.

• 34% of businesses surveyed reported increased sales in the last 12 months.

• Most tourism businesses are currently operating at about 75% - 85% of their available capacity.

Tourism is seen as one of the most important industries, with potential for growth, in the region. The aim of the survey was to assess the tourism sector within the North-east by comparing current performance against previous performance, identifying factors and issues affecting the industry, estimating the impact of policy and other public enablers on profitability and to establish the overall optimism of the industry on future growth and performance.

It is the first of a series of surveys carried out by the Chamber in association with project partners, Robert Gordon University’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), the Technology Strategy Board and ACSEF. The surveys will provide sector specific research on businesses in North-east Scotland and the results will be used by the partners to provide industry intelligence to support growth and development across each sector.

The surveys will compliment a series of business networks which are being set up by the Chamber to better serve the needs of its 1200-plus members by providing sector-specific support and information.

Future surveys will cover business services, Third Sector, food & drink, with the next in the series focusing on the energy sector, particularly renewables

Bob Collier, Chief Executive of AGCC said: “We are pleased to publish the first of a series of surveys to provide sector specific research on businesses in North-east Scotland. Tourism has great potential for growth in this region but, like any other business sector, it needs to have the right conditions to help it fully reach that potential. It is also a highly competitive industry which must vie for business not just with the rest of Scotland the UK but across Europe and beyond so it is important to take tally to make sure that we are providing services which match tourist demand. We hope the information gathered in this survey will help inform business, government and other decision makers about future direction.”

The full Tourism Network Sector Survey Report 2011 will be available online at www.agcc.co.uk/tourism at 9a.m. on Friday, April 29. Paper copies are also available on request by contacting Seona Shand at seona.shand@agcc.co.uk.