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Visit Scotland | Alba

Overview

  • Research and insight on tourism in Fife 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. 
  • In 2023, there were a total of 610,000 overnight tourism visits to Fife and a total overnight tourism spend of  £338 million.

1. Key statistics (overnight tourism)

610 thousand

total overnight visits by International and domestic visitors in 2023

2.90 million

total nights spent in accommodations by international and domestic visitors in 2023

£338 million

total spend by international and domestic visitors in 2023

£555

average overnight visitor spend in 2023

Figures shown represent tourism performance for Fife, 2023 (numbers have been rounded). Sources: International Passenger Survey 2023, Great Britain Tourism Survey, 2023

Domestic overnight tourism

Region Domestic visits Domestic nights Domestic spend  
Fife 432,000 1,556,000 £116 million  

Source: Great Britain Tourism Survey, 2023

Do you want to see this data as a graph or view past year figures?

View graphs and data on tourismobservatory.scot

International overnight tourism

Region International visits International nights International spend
Fife 178,000 1,342,000 £222 million

Source: International Passenger Survey, 2023 

Do you want to see this data as a graph or view past year figures?

View graphs and data on tourismobservatory.scot

Employment and economic performance

Local Authority Tourism employment in 2022 Tourism employment as % of all employment Tourism businesses in 2023 Tourism businesses as a% of all businesses Tourism Turnover in 2021 Total tourism GVA per head in 2021
Fife 12,000 7.0% 880 9.8% £339 million £14,006

Source: Scottish Growth Sector Statistics, December 2023

Do you want to see this data as a graph, a time series, or a data file (CSV)?

View this data as a time series on tourismobservatory.scot

2. Scotland Visitor Survey 2023

In 2023, we commissioned the Scotland Visitor Survey to gather insight on visitor attitudes and behaviours. The survey explores all aspects of the visitor experience in Scotland. It also allows us to explore the experiences of visitors who stayed overnight in a specific area.

The scope of the survey was leisure overnight visitors only.

Information is also available at a Scotland level on a variety of topics including motivations, planning and booking, travel, attractions, food and drink and satisfaction. Detail on the background and study methodology is also available. 
Browse Scotland Visitor Survey 2023.

Profile of overnight visitors to Fife

65%

were domestic visitors

35%

were international visitors

81%

were repeat visitors

10%

were on a trip of a lifetime

Source: Scotland Visitor Survey 2023

Scotland Visitor Survey 2023 - Fife factsheet

Published June 2024

3. Methodology

The data published on this page is sourced from a number of different studies.

Great Britain Tourism Survey

Jointly sponsored by VisitEngland, VisitScotland and VisitWales. The sample size for Fife was 43.
Browse more information on domestic overnight tourism to Scotland.

International Passenger Survey

Carried out by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). VisitBritain, VisitScotland and VisitWales are sponsors of the survey. The sample size for Fife was 97.
Browse more information on international tourism performance.

Scotland Visitor Survey

Commissioned by VisitScotland. The sample size for Fife was 331.
Explore details from the Scotland Visitor Survey.

Scottish Growth Sector Statistics

Read details on the industry statistics published by the Scottish Government 

Related links