Dundee & Angus Convention Bureau announced that conferences and events which took place in Dundee and Angus, Scotland during 2005 resulted in almost £9,000,000 of direct expenditure in the area.

This represents an increase in the region of £750,000 when compared with the figures for 2004.

Karen Tocher, Business Tourism Manager at Dundee & Angus Convention Bureau says, “In 1998 the estimated direct expenditure value of business tourism to Dundee and Angus was just over £2,500,000. The increase in value to just under £9,000,000 in 2005 represents an uplift of over 350%.”

The increase in the direct value of business tourism to Dundee and Angus is also representative of the rising numbers of both UK and international delegates attending conferences and events in venues in Dundee and Angus.

Karen comments, “Delegate numbers have increased exponentially over the eight year period. In 1998 approximately 9,500 UK delegates attended events in Dundee and Angus, this figure has risen to over 190,000 in 2005. The number of international delegates attending events and conferences in Dundee and Angus has also increased, going from just 32 international delegates in 1998 to almost 13,000 in 2005.”

Karen continues “Business tourism is extremely important to the Dundee and Angus economy with business visitors spending, on average, three times more than leisure tourists. One of the reasons behind the growing success of Dundee and Angus in securing conferences and exhibitions from both the UK and the overseas market is the range of venues, activities and services that we have to offer.”

“In 2005 Dundee hosted events which included an international conference for the concrete construction industry as well as the 2005 Women in Games conference. Part of the success has been due to positioning Dundee and Angus as an appealing destination for a range of conferences. Dundee and Angus truly does have something for every visitor.”