VisitScotland and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar commissioned visitor surveys in 2013 and 2017.
Tourism spend is growing at around 5% per year. Between the two, visitor spend increased by £11.5m or around 20% to £65m per year and leisure visitor numbers grew by 16% to over 148,000 visitors. Each leisure visitor spends around £350 on the islands.
We are predominantly a British destination. 75% of our leisure visitors are domestic, with those coming from other parts of Scotland outweighing those from other parts of the UK. Family connections remain a strong reason for visiting the islands.
We tend to be a market for independent travellers. The majority of people travelling as couples.
Our average stay is longer than on the mainland. Leisure visitors remain on the islands for 6 nights. We do not have a day-visitor market, apart from a few business travellers.
Visitor satisfaction remains exceptionally high with 97% satisfied or extremely satisfied and 85% happy to reurn. Many do come bak again and again -
Two thirds of our visitors regularly holiday in the islands
Copies of the two surveys can be downloaded here:
Outer Hebrides Visitor Survey 2017 - Full Report
Outer Hebrides Visitor Survery 2012/13 - Full Report
