We came to Scotland to see the Loch Ness Monster

American Linda Taylor and her friends are thrilled to be in Scotland for the first time.

After years of planning their trip, they finally arrive at the shores of Loch Ness.

Fort Lauderdale native Linda says a visit to Scotland has been on her must-do list for a long time.

“It’s been postponed for a while because of the coronavirus, but now I’m here with the Loch Ness Monster,” she added.

“We have seen all the castles and they are amazing. The history and the scenery are beautiful. I am very happy to be here.

Linda is one of the Americans planning to visit Scotland.

With the opening of new and renewed routes from major US cities to Edinburgh and a surge in bookings from US travelers, many parts of Scotland’s tourism industry are experiencing a rapid resurgence.

Hoteliers are reporting unusual numbers, thanks to free publicity for TV drama Outlander and gothic survival TV show The Traitors, as well as news reports about the Queen’s final trip to Scotland last year.

They say the UK was the first to benefit from the resumption of international travel by Americans after the pandemic.

With the relatively low value of the pound against the US dollar, the UK looks valuable.

Edinburgh Airport this month opened new routes to Atlanta, Georgia and Calgary, Canada, as well as restarted routes to Boston and Chicago.

Since Brexit, it has managed to attract a larger share of transatlantic travel than Glasgow, which once dominated.

The capital’s airports also have a significantly higher percentage of inbound travelers from the United States than other major UK airports, as opposed to outbound travelers from the United Kingdom.

Between March and October last year, more than half of passengers on U.S. flights began traveling to the United States, up to 76% in August last year.

American tourists visiting Scotland

636,000 Americans visited Scotland in 2019 before the pandemic.

Americans accounted for 18% of international visitors.

Their annual spending totaled £717 million.

US visitors spent an average of £161 per day.

The average length of stay was 6.7 nights.

Gordon Dewar, chief executive officer of Edinburgh Airport, said there had been a big change in the spread of flights after the summer, with more airlines continuing to operate these routes into the fall.

“We were on a growth trajectory, but it really accelerated after COVID-19.

“The U.S. market came out the fastest. The U.S. lifted travel restrictions a year earlier than Europe, so we were well prepared.”

Dewar reports that transatlantic passenger numbers have increased by 25% this year compared to pre-pandemic levels.

“There are more destinations, higher frequencies and a very interesting development is the longer season.

“One US airline said Edinburgh was the most profitable in its transatlantic first year.”

Highland Hotel Association’s Ina Davies, general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel at Inverness Airport, said many of her clients use Inverness as a hub on the North Coast 500 road route.

Some of them, she added, were inspired by the US version of Traitor, which was filmed at Ardros Castle in Easter Ross for both the UK and US versions.

Mr Davis said the weaker pound has also boosted American visitor numbers.

But she added that there was growing caution from visitors about using CalMac for travel because “confidence in ferries has been lost.”

Adam McMaster, general manager of the Clansman Hotel near Drumnadrochit on Loch Ness, also argues that the weaker pound against the dollar has clearly affected bookings.

“Over the past few years, the international travel market has been pretty frustrated,” he explains.

“Now we are seeing the freedom to travel again. These trips require a lot of preparation. So a few months ago, when the pound was particularly cheap against the dollar, these bookings Seeing the rush, it did us a good favor.” I knew this was going to be a very good year. “

McMaster said whiskey remains the number one attraction for visitors to the Highlands. In Loch Ness, “not everyone comes to hunt monsters, but it’s still contagious.”

“This is a must-visit list destination for many who have been planning this trip for years. So people come here to make the most of it. And that’s good for Hyland.”

Massachusetts native Claire Spencer says the TV series Outlander influenced her decision to visit Scotland.

“I became a huge fan of Outlander and said I would love to see that place. I had planned a trip three years ago, but it was canceled due to COVID-19. I planned, and now I’m here.”

Shane Hunt and Nancy Duvall, who live near Seattle, traveled to Scotland to celebrate his 50th birthday.

“My wife recommended the trip,” he explains.

“We have always loved this country. I am a golfer. This is a golfer’s paradise.

“And whiskey is good too. She’s a fan of castles and Outlander, so it was easy for us to enjoy whiskey, too.”