THE TOURISM industry in East Dunbartonshire is going from “strength to strength”, Rona Mackay MSP has said.
Fresh statistics from Visit Scotland show the number of people working in tourism increased by 16 per cent from 2014 to 2015, to 2,200 in the local authority area.
The study also revealed eight per cent of total employment in East Dunbartonshire is in the tourism industry.
The increase was mirrored across the whole of Scotland, with the sector employing 217,000, 11 per cent increase.
Nine per cent of total employment in Scotland is in the tourism industry, the highest level since Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES) records began in 2009.
Ms Mackay told how there is “a lot to offer” in East Dunbartonshire, from visitor attractions, food and drink, the great outdoors and town centre shopping.
Rona Mackay, the SNP MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, said: “This is a substantial increase in tourism employment in East Dunbartonshire, and shows the industry is going from strength to strength.
“Given tourism covers eight per cent of total local employment, it is vital to the economy of East Dunbartonshire. The businesses and organisations involved deserve credit for expanding their workforces.
“There are some beautiful destinations for tourists in East Dunbartonshire, like the Kilpatrick Hills, Campsie Fells and picturesque countryside. And before this stunning backdrop, we have great restaurants, bars, museums, golf courses and unique shops across our towns and villages. East Dunbartonshire can even boast the West Highland Way, Antonine Wall, Thomas Muir Heritage Trail and Kirkintilloch Canal Festival – we have a lot to offer for visitors.
Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of Visit Scotland, said: “Tourism is more than a holiday experience. It creates jobs and sustains communities in every corner of Scotland all year round and is at the heart of the Scottish economy.
“These fantastic new figures show that, from hotel owners to waiting staff, tourism really is the driving force for providing the jobs of today and tomorrow. They also demonstrate the industry’s commitment to the 2020 strategy – which aims to generate economic growth through tourism.”