Scots have enjoyed more than their fair share of glorious weather this season as we experience what the Met Office has officially named one of the top ten warmest summers on record.

As we wheel out the barbecues, it’s hoped the warmer weather will boost domestic tourism, as more people look to save money and explore their local environment.

Staycations across Britain are becoming increasingly popular. The drop in the pound after the Brexit vote has been a leading contributing factor, as holidays abroad become more expensive as a result.

According to research by Visit Scotland, there were 11.7 million trips taken in Scotland by British residents in 2017 - up 1.3 per cent from 2016. Meanwhile, Visit Britain data shows a six per cent rise in the number of local holidays across the UK last year.

This positive growth looks set to continue into 2018. Available data for January to March shows a 10.8 per cent increase in UK domestic holidays in comparison to the same period last year.

However, despite the falling pound, it’s still true that we love to travel abroad.

Numbers released by the Office for National Statistics on 20 July show that international trips continue to remain a top choice. More Britons than ever left the country for their holidays last year, with 72.8 million overseas visits by UK residents – three per cent more than in 2016.

At the same time, Scotland remains a hugely popular choice for foreign visitors, with visits and spending from overseas tourists reaching their highest level on record in 2017.

While official statistics for 2018’s summer season are yet to be released, the balmy weather can only improve Scotland’s popularity amongst domestic tourists and visitors from further afield alike.

Johnston Carmichael’s hospitality and tourism sector team follows developments in the hospitality industry closely. If you require any assistance or advice please feel free to approach us to see how we can help you.