Visit Scotland | Alba

Overview

  • India is not one of Scotland’s largest international source markets but between 2012 and 2019 Scotland saw a growth in visits from this overseas market.
  • Visits to Scotland from our Indian visitors are often part of a wider UK or European trip. Length of stay is above average.
  • Our factsheet highlights the latest annual data on the volume and value of Indian visitors to Scotland from the International Passenger Survey (IPS).
  • The IPS was suspended in March 2020 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Both data collection and the ability to travel were impacted by travel restrictions up until 2022. This has had an impact on sample size. Due to this, the latest full year data for Indian visitors to Scotland is from 2019.
  • Find methodology information within the official statistics and partners section.

India Factsheet 2019

Published December 2021

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In this article:

Key statistics

66,000

total number of trips by Indian visitors to Scotland in 2019

1.3 million

total number of nights spent in Scotland by Indian visitors in Scotland in 2019

£47 million

total spend by Indian visitors to Scotland in 2019

20.0

average nights per trip by Indian visitors to Scotland in 2019

Source: IPS, 2019 (numbers have been rounded)

1. VisitBritain MIDAS research 2022

In 2022, our partner, VisitBritain undertook comprehensive research with international leisure travellers. They spoke to global tourists from many markets, including India.

Whilst the research focuses on perceptions and experiences of Britain, there are insights which are useful for the Scottish tourism industry.

Distance is not a barrier when it comes to appetite to visit Britain, with long haul markets in the Middle East, Asia and USA showing some of the strongest demand.

Trips form long haul markets are far more likely to be thought as one that combines European destinations as well as Britain.

Tourists from India are looking for destinations offering a variety of "must see" experiences. They do not wish to relax as much as see and tick off "must do" activities.

Read the full VisitBritain MIDAS research

2. Official statistics and partners

The International Passenger Survey (IPS) is a continuous survey carried out by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It covers all major air, sea and tunnel ports.

The survey provides information on the numbers and types of visits made by people travelling to and from the UK. Anonymous face to face interviews are undertaken with a sample of passengers entering and leaving the UK.

Find out more on the survey methodology on the ONS website.

Read further ONS publications.

Read how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted on the IPS data collection.

3. Additional research resources

VisitBritain’s IPS data viewer by UK nation

visitbritain.org/inbound

VisitBritain’s India market profile

visitbritain.org/markets/india

VisitBritain’s international market segments

visitbritain.org/customer

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