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Family Ties, Ancestor Hunting and Just Good Memories Bring Visitors Back to Fife
Applicable Regions: Cupar and Howe of Fife Dunfermline and West Fife East Neuk Kirkcaldy and Mid Fife Levenmouth St Andrews
New research uncovers why UK and overseas tourists choose Fife as a destination
Family ties, past and present, are very strong for visitors coming to Fife, according to new research by VisitScotland.
In a survey conducted during the summer last year it was revealed that 67% of UK and overseas visitors to Fife had connections with Scotland mainly through family and friends, including 16% whose ancestors had lived in Scotland.
Visitors come to see friends and family who live here, to revisit places they lived before, often as students, and even those who have done business here come back to enjoy some leisure time. When asked why they chose Fife visitors cited family connections, knowledge of the area and a particular interest in the history amongst the top five reasons.
But it seems that when visitors are here they also enjoy the full range of attractions that Fife has to offer with eating local food, shopping, walking, beaches and sightseeing topping the list of choices. Overseas and first time visitors tend to be more active and exploring historic churches, houses and castles accounts rates highly. Culture is also very important as visitors enjoy museums, art galleries and exhibitions.
John Parker, Chair of the Fife Tourism Partnership, said, “The findings of this report are excellent – we are clearly doing the right things to attract visitors to the area. Fife’s warm hospitality makes a real impression on people who take away happy memories of visits here and most importantly keep coming back. More than two thirds of tourists say that they are likely to return and like any sector, repeat business is very important economically. “
