International tourism performance

In the first half of 2024, international visitors made 2.0 million trips to Scotland with 13.8 million nights and £1.5 billion spent overall. When compared with the same period in 2023, volume of international trips and value of spend had increased while volume of nights decreased.

The average duration of Scotland trips during the reporting period was 7.0 nights, with an average spend per night of £108 and average spend per trip of £755.

The North American market showed the largest increase in spending over the January - June period.

Spending was 84% greater versus 2019 (in nominal terms) and 31% greater vs 2023 (in nominal terms). Taking inflation into account, spending by North Americans was 48% greater versus 2019 and 29% greater versus 2023. 

International tourism performance January - June 2024

Source: International Passenger Survey (IPS)

The survey's methodology is currently under review. The ONS has advised that quarterly results may be subject to delay due to additional quality assurance processes as the new methodology is embedded.

Read more on the review and improvements to travel and tourism statistics on ons.gov.uk.

The ONS has released indicative estimates for Great Britain covering quarter 3 of 2024 based on the new approach to data collection and methodology of the International Passenger Survey. These results do not include any figures at a Scotland level.

Explore an analysis of International Passenger Survey indicative estimates on visitbritain.org.

Please note that the quarter 3 of 2024 results are official statistics under development, which means quality assurance is ongoing. Estimates are subject to change and should not be used for policy or decision making.

Read more about the official statistics in development on osr.statisticsauthority.gov.uk.

3. Methodology

The International Passenger Survey (IPS) is a continuous survey conducted at major ports of entry to or exit from the UK. The survey provides information on the numbers and types of visits made by people travelling to and from the UK. It covers all major, air, sea and tunnel ports.

Anonymous face-to-face interviews are undertaken with a sample of passengers as they enter or leave the UK. IPS data is published on the Office for National Statistics (ONS) website.

Browse leisure and tourism insights on ons.gov.uk.

Our partner, VisitBritain, is a member of the IPS Steering Group and one of the main users of data generated by overseas residents visiting the UK. They have published a methodology summary and a frequently asked questions document.

Read more about the International Passenger Survey on visitbritain.org.

COVID-19 impact on International Passenger Survey data collection

Methodological improvements relating to the survey's weighting were introduced for the 2019 estimates. A revised series was published in May 2019 for the years 2009 to 2018.

The survey was suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic between 16 March 2020 and 18 January 2021. High-level estimates of travel and tourism have been produced by the ONS for April to December 2020 using alternative sources.

The survey remained suspended at some seaports and train stations in 2021. The ONS has applied the following processes to the data since March 2020.

5. Official statistics and partners

The International Passenger Survey (IPS) is a continuous survey carried out by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is made following the Code of Practice for Official Statistics (2023) as produced by the Office for Statistics Regulation.

Read the Code of Practice for Official Statistics on code.statisticsauthority.gov.uk.