Supported by: Ash Denham*, Tom Arthur*, Gordon MacDonald*, Bill Kidd*, Jackie Baillie*, Sandra White*, Emma Harper*, Jenny Gilruth*, Jackson Carlaw*, Stuart McMillan*, Neil Findlay*, Gillian Martin*, Graeme Dey*, Fulton MacGregor* *S5M-00995 Douglas Ross: Scotland's Whisky Distilleries Remain Star Visitor Attractions That the Parliament welcomes the report from the Scotch Whisky Association — Monday 15 August 2016 (No 119/2016) 12 Today's Business Future Business Motions & Questions Legislation Other Gnothaichean an-diugh Gnothaichean ri teachd Gluasadan agus Ceistean Reachdas Eile Motions | Gluasadan claiming that the country s whisky distilleries remain star attractions for visitors both from home ’ and overseas; notes that, between 2014 and 2015, visits to distilleries increased by 7% to 1.6 million and that, since 2010, there has been a more than 20% rise; understands that the distilleries rank among some of the most popular attractions in the UK and their overall visitor numbers are similar to those for Edinburgh Castle and St Paul s Cathedral; believes that visitors spend an ’ average £25 per head and that, in 2015, the overall spend was £50 million, compared with £27 million in 2010; considers that this provides a valuable economic benefit to communities; understands that the industry has invested significantly in visitor and tourism facilities; believes that this, along with the success of festivals, such as those in Islay and Speyside, has helped to attract new visitors to the country, and wishes the industry continued success.