Tall Ships event attracted nearly 500,000 visitors

About a fifth of visitors to Aberdeen for the Tall Ships event came from outside the area

Nearly half a million people attended this year's Tall Ships event in Aberdeen, a report has revealed.

The economic benefit of the July spectacular also exceeded expectations - generating more than £30m.

The majority of the 496,000 visits to the Tall Ships were from people who live in north-east Scotland, but about 19% came to the city from other parts of Scotland and the UK.

Aberdeen City Council is keen to bring the Tall Ships back, and is also planning for a Festival of the Sea event next year, with costs met from the Coastal Communities Fund.

A report for next week's finance and resources committee said the £32m generated for the local economy was better than had been predicted.

The pre-event estimate had been for about £20m.

It also claimed there was an increase in hotel occupancy and room rates, positive business impacts for stall holders, and a 44% rise in turnover for businesses in Aberdeen.

The vast majority of visitors rated their experience as excellent.