Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Business Barometer Quarter 3 Results
30 November 2018
The results for Quarter 3 are in!
The Business Barometer is a nationwide survey measuring shifts in visitor numbers, turnover and optimism within the tourism industry – all from your perspective as local tourism businesses. These results focus on Quarter 3 of 2018 (July – September) and considers business performance in comparison to the same period in the previous year. This was the second time our region took part and our response rate (circa 89) was down slightly on the previous wave (110).
Once again, you reported it had been a positive quarter in the region, with circa 70% of Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire respondents stating that visitor numbers and spend were up or similar to the comparable quarter for 2017 (Quarter 3). Circa 40% of you claimed to be very or quite confident about the next 3 months. This represented a less optimistic outlook than the previous wave (60%) but does reflect the Scotland-wide figure for this wave. It is also indicative of the nature of our seasonal product and the winter months being a traditionally quieter period.
You told us that the main barrier to success in Q3 was “Footfall and visitor numbers”, selected by 35% of the sample. In second place, identified by 19% of the sample, was “Economic conditions”. “Footfall and visitor numbers” was also the main barrier to success highlighted by the Scotland-wide sample.
The lower response rate this wave meant that we, unfortunately, did not achieve any sub-regional reports, for example in Aberdeen City, Banff and Buchan and Kincardine & Mearns. This remains a priority for us for future waves.
The Barometer runs 4 times a year. We do understand it is a time commitment, but the more businesses that complete the survey, the richer and more representative the insights we will get into our region. It would be fantastic to have a larger sample feeding back information on how we are performing, what challenges we are facing and how to work together to further develop the region.
Our ongoing goals for the Business Barometer are to:
- Grow the number of businesses completing the survey each quarter; - Reach the minimum threshold for sub-regional reports in 2 to 3 areas within Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire; - Help businesses tackle the barriers they are facing within their day-to-day operations; and - Use the Barometer to benchmark our region’s performance against Scotland and other comparable regions.
We are committed to working on this project with you. The next wave will take place between 14th January and 25th February 2019, and we will be in touch nearer the time.
To discuss the results or Insights in general email insights@visitabdn.com