A report on tourism in the county in 2024 has revealed the income and value created was well above pre-Covid figures.
And a breakdown of visitors to the county has revealed the number making it their only destination during their holiday is up, with three in five making no plans to go anywhere else during their stay.
The report on 2024 for East Lothian Council said that there were about 1.6 million tourist visits during the year, with an estimated 4,300 jobs supported in the tourism and hospitality industry.
The average visitor stayed about three-and-a-half nights.
The report estimated that spend overall in East Lothian by tourists was £282.7 million, with indirect and “induced economic effects of local businesses and residents spending tourism revenues locally” estimated to account for a further £96.75m, together totalling £379m.
In 2024, a study of visitors described one in five as “rural relaxers” – often older people and families looking to enjoy nature and wildlife – with only seven per cent golfers.
And it revealed the top-10 tourist attractions in the county, with the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick number one with 21 per cent of visitors.
Councillor John McMillan, Provost of East Lothian and cabinet spokesperson for economic development, welcomed the impact of tourism in the county.
He said: “Despite this being a time of financial challenges for many of us, our visitor economy continues to grow and that is a real testament to what East Lothian has to offer and the quality of our visitor and hospitality industry.”
The top-10 visitor attractions in 2024 in East Lothian were:
- Scottish Seabird Centre – 21 per cent;
- John Muir Way – 14 per cent;
- Archerfield Walled Garden – 12 per cent;
- Tantallon Castle – 12 per cent;
- John Muir’s Birthplace – 10 per cent;
- East Links Family Park – eight per cent;
- National Museum of Flight – eight per cent;
- Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery – eight per cent;
- Dunbar Leisure Pool – seven per cent;
- Dirleton Castle – six per cent.