BUSINESS is booming at Scotland's hotels and tourist hotspots with more people holidaying in Scotland than a year ago, according to two new studies.
Visitor numbers are up by 5% compared to last year, while visitors are spending more money than they did last summer.
The biggest rise in tourist numbers has come from Scots and people from other parts of the UK taking a staycation holiday on home turf.
New figures from the Office of National Statistics and the Great Britain Tourism Survey found the number of visitors from overseas has also slightly increased from the level a year ago.
Overall, the latest surveys show the number of international visitors numbers is up 1% compared to last year, while there was a 6% increase in domestic tourism.
Spending by holidaymakers from within the UK rose by 21%, while foreign tourists spent 4% more.
Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing welcomed the figures. He said: "This is one of our key industries and increases in visitor numbers and the amount they spend on their trips are good for Scotland's wider economy.
He warned there was no room for complacency, and added: "The Scottish Government will continue to work with VisitScotland, the national tourism organisation, and our other agencies to promote everything that Scotland has to offer across the world.
"We have much to look forward to. This is the Year of Creative Scotland and we also have we have the release of Disney-Pixar's Brave this summer.
"In the coming years we have The Year of Natural Scotland, the Year of Homecoming and the Ryder Cup and the Commonwealth Games 2014."
Stephen Leckie, chairman of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, said: "Scotland's tourism industry has a great many positive initiatives and projects in place which we should be very proud of.
"Of course we are not immune from concerns about the global economy, but it is very encouraging that we are continuing to see growth.
"I know many businesses continue to make the most of the unique appeal our country has so we can exceed visitor expectations on every level, every time.
Tourist chiefs also welcomed separate figures which showed Scotland's hotels were outperforming the rest of the UK.
Room occupancy rates north of the Border and the amount people spent while staying in Scotland's hotels rose during May while declining in both England and Wales.
According to figures produced by accountants PKF, the hospitality sector in Aberdeen is doing best in Scotland.
Occupancy rates are up 8.7% and revenue increased by more than 20% in May. Revenue for the year to date in Aberdeen is up 16.5% – the largest increase of anywhere in the UK including London.
In Glasgow, the rates increased by 5.8% and revenue was up 13.7% as the city recovered from a drop in 2011.
Inverness experienced an increase of 1% in occupancy and 6.4% in revenue. However, Edinburgh occupancy fell by 5.4% and revenue was down by 7.9%
Malcolm Roughead, chief executive of VisitScotland, said: "These hotel occupancy figures are very encouraging and show that Scotland continues to punch above its weight.
"However, these are still challenging economic times and there is no room for complacency.
"Working together, tourism businesses up and down the country, including our city hotels, must ensure they continue to provide a quality service and play a vital role in the country's visitor economy."
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