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The number of people from England, Wales and Northern Ireland searching for hotel rooms in Scotland in the six weeks to 15 September decreased by 29% compared to the same period last year, according to Trivago.
Research by the hotel booking website tracked searches for hotel stays for any date after September 28, in order to exclude searches made for the Ryder Cup (September 23 to 28).
However, when hotel searches for the Ryder Cup were included travel interest still showed a 19% decrease year-on-year.
Scots searching for travel to the rest of the UK also declined in the same period.
Denise Bartlett, Trivago’s UK press officer, said: “With the future of Scottish independence uncertain and many questioning how this will affect both potential visitors and the country’s tourism industry, it is interesting to note that Scotland has already seen a decline in travel interest from the rest of the UK.
“Although this cannot be attributed wholly to the referendum, it is interesting to note that searches made by Scottish users to the rest of the UK have simultaneously decreased. With many in Scotland voting for independence, it appears likely that interest in visiting England, Wales and Northern Ireland has declined.”
