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Visit Scotland | Alba

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Overview

  • Research and insight on tourism in Orkney is available from a range of different sources, including tourism monitors, national statistics, and commissioned research.
  • On this page, you will find key data for the area. There are also links to further information regarding a particular source or study.
  • The most recent source is the 2024 Orkney Visitor Survey, which has updated the figures for volume and value to the islands.
  • Please note when comparing the value figures for 2024 with the previous survey conducted in 2019 that the figures published on this page do not take account of inflation between the two periods. These figures can be provided on request.

1. Orkney Visitor Survey 2024

The 2024 visitor survey gives updated figures for the volume and value of tourism to the Orkney islands together with a comprehensive understanding of the whole visitor journey and experiences. 

Key statistics 2024 - all visits

173,000

visits to Orkney

£77.9 million

total spend

42%

of leisure visitors were international

66%

of leisure visitors were first time visitors

Source: Orkney Visitor Survey 2024

Overnight visitors to Orkney (leisure) - summary factsheet

Published June 2025

Overnight visitors to Orkney - full report

Published June 2025

2. Scotland Visitor Survey 2023

In 2023, we commissioned the Scotland Visitor Survey to gather insight on visitor attitudes and behaviours. The scope of the survey was leisure overnight visitors only.

The survey explored all aspects of the visitor experience in Scotland. Further information on the background, methodology, and key highlights from the survey is also available.

Browse Scotland Visitor Survey 2023.

The visitor survey also allows us to explore the experiences of visitors who stayed overnight in a specific area. 

Scotland Visitor Survey 2023 - Orkney factsheet

Published June 2024

3. Key statistics 2019

192,000

visits to Orkney

£67 million

total spend

Figures taken from Orkney Islands Visitor Survey 2019.

Related links