Major international events such as the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles are expected to help Scotland maintain the strong tourism results that have seen the country outperform the rest of the UK over the last year.

Scotland welcomed 2.4 million visits from overseas during 2013, reflecting growth of 9.8 per cent, according to the latest figures released by VisitBritain. These visits generated spend of £1.68bn in 2013, a nominal annual increase of 19.9 per cent.

The figures represent 7.4 per cent of all visits to the UK and 8 per cent of all spend, but show stronger growth than London and the UK as a whole.

Tourism spend is expected to grow to £5.2bn by 2025 – buoyed by Glasgow and Edinburgh’s positions in the top three cities to visit behind London – and the glut of international sporting events set to take place during 2014 is expected to hasten this.

"The investment in the events of 2014 such as Homecoming Scotland, the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup will undoubtedly keep up this momentum throughout this year and beyond, showcasing Scotland to a global audience," said VisitScotland chair Mike Cantlay.

“These (VisitBritain) results are spectacular and a true testimony to the significant investment that has taken place within Scotland’s tourism industry. Securing new direct flight routes has also been invaluable, making it easier for visitors to reach Scotland and connect with our stunning urban and rural attractions.”