New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have shown that Scotland outperformed the rest of the UK by increasing its share of overseas visitors between July and September 2009.

Compared with the same period in 2008, Scotland reported a 25 per cent increase in visitors from North America and a 43 per cent increase in visitors from countries outside Europe and North America.

As a whole, the UK posted a 6 per cent increase in visitors from North America and a 1 per cent increase from countries outside Europe and North America during the three-month period.

Scottish tourism minister Jim Mather said: "These figures underline the success of Homecoming 2009, which proved to be an exceptional year with hundreds of events being heavily promoted throughout the world.

"This Government and our tourism industries will continue to do all we can to attract many more visitors to Scotland throughout 2010. We and the industry are forward planning for the years ahead and looking at every opportunity to further improve our tourism product."