Scotland's camping and caravan park sector is responsible for the equivalent of nearly 5,700 full-time jobs, new research shows.
According to data released this week by the Scottish Caravan and Camping Forum (SCCF), the country's holiday parks also have a significant part to play in the national economy.
In total, they generate just over £700 million per year, heraldscotland.com reports. The group's estimates are based on spending by park owners and their holiday guests in the 12 months leading up to October 2014.
Upon releasing the report, the SCCF claimed that this is the first time the industry's economic contribution has been properly examined.
Chairman David Key, who is also a representative of the National Caravan Council, spoke highly about the results. He was quoted by bbc.co.uk as saying: "Caravan parks are important to the rural economy because of the jobs they provide and the money spent by their visitors. £700-plus million is a significant contribution, as is the 5,688 full-time-equivalent jobs.
"This report enables the SCCF and the sector as a whole to present robust data to the Scottish government, to local authorities and to tourism organisations."
The study's authors went on to state their belief that the holiday park sector is especially important to the country's "often-fragile" rural economy.
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