Scotland's Marine Economic Statistics 2021

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 Data and Methodology for more information.

In 2021, marine tourism generated £494 million GVA, 0.33% of the Scottish economy and 11% of the marine economy GVA. Marine tourism employed 28,600 people, 1.1% of Scottish employment. It is the biggest marine economy employer with 41% of marine economy employment. However, most jobs will be seasonal and part time, which is reflected in the estimated full time equivalent (FTE) of 20,600.

Scottish sustainable tourism was estimated to be worth £3.4 billion in GVA in 2020, a increase of 31.3% compared to 2020.

From 2020 to 2021, marine tourism GVA increased by 41%. In the longer term, from 2012 to 2021, GVA decreased by 7%. From 2012 to 2021, employment increased by 18%.

Figure 9. Marine tourism GVA increased gradually from £529 million in 2012 to £645 million in 2019. It then dropped dramatically to £351 million in 2020, as a result of Covid-19 restrictions, before increasing to £494 million in 2021.

Marine tourism GVA by year, 2012 to 2021

The marine tourism economic values are available by Scottish Marine Regions. In the Clyde region, marine tourism generated £135 million GVA in 2021. This was 27% of the Scottish marine tourism GVA in 2021.