Scotland's Marine Economic Statistics 2020

Marine Tourism

Marine tourism includes tourism and recreation businesses located within 100 metres of the coastline. Tourism businesses are specified in the Sustainable Tourism growth sectors. Postcodes are used to determine whether the businesses are within 100 metres of the coast. This method may include some businesses that are not marine-related, and exclude some that are. But, it is a reasonable and replicable method for estimating the marine tourism economy using existing data. Scottish Annual Business Statistics provides this data. See Annex for more information.

In 2020, marine tourism generated £360 million GVA, 0.26% of the Scottish economy and 9% of the marine economy GVA. Marine tourism employed 26,500 people, 1% of Scottish employment. It is the biggest marine economy employer with 39% of marine economy employment. However, most jobs will be seasonal and part time.

Covid-19 pandemic restrictions had a negative impact on tourism businesses in 2020. Scottish sustainable tourism was estimated to be worth £2.5 billion in GVA in 2020, a decrease of 43.6% compared to 2019.

From 2019 to 2020, marine tourism GVA decreased by 44%. In the longer term, from 2011 to 2020, GVA decreased by 25%. From 2011 to 2020, employment increased by 9%.

The marine tourism economic values are available by Scottish Marine Regions. In the Clyde region, marine tourism generated £124 million GVA in 2020. This was 34% of the Scottish marine tourism GVA in 2020.