A new report unveiled by the Scottish Museums Council (SMC) has highlighted the importance of museums and galleries to Scottish tourism and called for full recognition of the role museums play in the Scottish visitor experience.

The report, Realising the true impact of museums and galleries in Scottish tourism, was prepared by the Moffat Centre for Travel and Tourism and found that there are more visits to museums than any other single type of visitor attraction in Scotland. It also claimed that visiting museums and galleries consistently appears in the top three activities undertaken by tourists.

“Museums and galleries are a vital part of what makes Scotland unique as a tourist destination,” said Joanne Orr, director of the SMC.

“Not only are they the top attraction for tourists, but their iconic buildings also play a role in marketing Scotland.”

Richard Pinn, head of sector development for VisitScotland, said: “Scotland’s museums are an important part of the tourism product and help provide the distinctive cultural experiences our visitors are looking for.

“In a global marketplace, maintaining a consumer focus and providing the highest quality visitor experience is vital for success.”

According to the country’s tourism minister, Patricia Ferguson, the Scottish tourism industry is currently worth £4.5bn to Scotland’s economy.