Dundee has seen a "significant increase" in visitors, job creation and business growth in the first six months of 2019, according to a new report from the Dundee Tourism Action Group.

The Action group commissioned the independent evaluation, which looked at the first six months of 2019 compared with the previous year. The first research of its kind covering a period entirely after the opening of V&A Dundee, it showed a 19.4% rise in visitors to the city.

A total of 524,410 visitors came to the city between January and June, including day-trippers and those staying overnight. The figure for the same period in 2018 was 439,120.

The overall economic impact of tourism was up 14.7% on 2018 and is now worth well over £10million a month to the city. The biggest increases were in the food & drink and recreation sectors.

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The research by Global Tourism Solutions also shows that thousands of people are being employed in Dundee as a direct result of the visitor economy.

Councillor Alan Ross, Convener of Dundee City Council's City Development Committee, said: "The figures are very encouraging. They show how the tourist offering in Dundee has developed considerably and continues to pull more people to our city.

"Statistics show visitors are here to see many of the attractions in Dundee and are doing a range of things when they visit."

Mike Metcalfe, Chair of Dundee & Angus Visitor Accommodation Association, said: "DAVAA welcomes the growth in visitor numbers coming into the city as a result of the wonderful V&A and from the good works undertaken by our promoters for tourism.

"The growth in available hotels and places to stay, in the range of new food offerings, in entertainment and places to visit makes it a real competitor for UK City Breaks.

"The additional hotel supply and the new demand make for a competitive market place for businesses but from the visitor point of view choice is always a good thing."

(MH/CM)