VisitScotland

Statutory background

VisitScotland was initially established as the Scottish Tourist Board under the Development of Tourism Act 1969. The Tourist Boards (Scotland) Act 2006 formally changed the name of the Scottish Tourist Board to VisitScotland. VisitScotland's main office is in Edinburgh, and there are also more than 100 VisitScotland Information Centres, Information Points in Partnership a and local offices throughout the country.

The annual report and accounts include the accounts for both VisitScotland and the VisitScotland Group. The Group has identified two primary reporting segments - VisitScotland and EventScotland.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the direction given by the Scottish Ministers in Section 6(1) of the Development of Tourism Act 1969.

VisitScotland's accounts are audited by KPMG LLP, the auditors appointed by the Auditor General for Scotland, in accordance with Section 6(4) of the Development of Tourism Act 1969.

• Visit Scotland Annual Report
  and Accounts 2011 (Full Version)

Some financial highlights

VisitScotland was allocated a total of £45,405,000 core revenue grant in aid this year. This is a decrease of £2,350,000 compared to 2009-10. Grant in aid included £1,346,000 in respect of Homecoming legacy, Winter Festivals and other projects. The Ryder Cup grant was retained at £2,000,000.

Group income for the year totalled £17,378,000, reflecting a slight decrease in commercial income of £1,097,000. Within this total, local authorities provided a contribution of £3,494,000 (£4,233,000), along with European Regional Development Fund income of £2,287,000(£1,759,000), enterprise agency contributions of £357,000 (£97,000) and miscellaneous other income of £737,000.

Group expenditure for the year totalled £62,317,000 (2010: £67,418,000)

Savings have continued to be made in line with the Scottish Government's commitment to Efficient Government. During the year additional savings have been made totalling £1,210,000. The cumulative savings to date under the efficiency programme now exceed £4,080,000, a sum total of £2,480,000 ahead of the original target.

The three main areas of efficiency savings this year were across procurement, asset management, organisational change and shared services.

A total of £1,007,000 has been spent on additions to fixed assets this year. The main additions have been on £739,000 on computer equipment upgrades and software development together with £268,000 on the ongoing refurbishment and improvements at a number of information centres and local offices.