More than 202,000 business tourists made a trip to Dundee in 2004 – an increase of 32% from 2003.

This boost generated £27,137,680 for the Dundee and Angus economy last year, which takes into account factors such as registration, travel costs, food and drink and accommodation. Altogether, this is a rise of 27% from 2003.

Business visitors stayed for more than 29,124 nights in hotels – a 41% increase from 2003.

Estimated conference revenues in 2004 reached more than £8,250,000, of which nearly half can be attributed to events secured by Dundee and Angus Convention Bureau.

Their input of £3,754,177 is the largest sum ever accrued by the bureau through the business tourism sector.

This year looks to be another bumper year for the bureau, which has helped in the organisation, booking and planning of some of the national and international conferences.

Already around £2,152,416 of conference business has been secured for the year.

Since 2002, the number of delegates visiting the area has more than doubled, and conference revenue has grown by approximately 90%.

Bureau manager Karen Tocher said, “These figures are a testament to the growing reputation of the area as a business tourism destination. The bureau is enjoying considerable success in securing business in the highly competitive UK and overseas market.

“Business tourism is central to any growing local economy, with delegates spending two to three times more than holidaymakers.

“In addition, 60% of business tourism events take place between October and March when leisure demand is lower.

“Business tourism also links with the wider economy as it is not only the conference venues and hotels that benefit, but also restaurants, bars, shops and suppliers of transport.

“Part of the success behind these figures has been positioning Dundee as an appealing destination for a range of conferences.

“Dundee truly does have something for every visitor, and we have had events ranging from an international conference on good water governance for people and nature to the 11th international conference on glucuronidation.”