Scotland's travel and leisure business claims it is in a good position to fight back from the economic downturn - because forecasts emerged of a growth within worldwide tourists in 2011.

An industry spokesman for visit Scotland the country’s upbeat performance in the current global economic climate and external factors such as airline strikes and Icelandic Volcanoes.

Offshore visitors are said to be helping to bring a rise in tourists back to Scotland, with some travel firms confirming a ten percent rise in reservations. The favourable exchange rate must also be encouraging more travellers to consider the UK as a destination, especially from North America.

Scotland is investing for 2011 in new advertising campaigns that promote the lifestyle benefits of the destinations and also feed of the interest in the high profile royal wedding.

It is hoped that an increase in over thirty thousand visitors will been seen in 2011.