In 1994, visitor expenditure totalled around 2,000 million of which about 1,450 million was spent outwith the main urban areas of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Tourism offers real prospects of expansion in rural areas.
The main attractions of Scotland for tourists are associated with the natural environment, but visitors do require a healthy rural economy. Visitors often want to meet local people and experience local culture. Visitors also need good service in terms of a variety of shops, good transport facilities and good visitor attractions. In November 1994, the Scottish Tourism Co-ordinating Group published a strategy for Scottish tourism. The Group is chaired by the Minister with responsibility for tourism at The Scottish Office and brings together the main public bodies involved in supporting the tourist industry together with a representative of the industry itself.