The Scottish tourism industry has aimed for 50% growth in 10 years

The amount of tourists from Europe increased by 67%, while those from North America increased by 3%.

The first three-quarters of 2005 saw a total growth of 35% in foreign visitors compared with the same period in 2004.

The figures included, for the first time, an estimate of the visitors who flew into Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

Tourism Minister Patricia Ferguson said: "These encouraging figures prove that Scotland continues to be an irresistible draw for overseas visitors, which is set against a backdrop of increasing global competition."

She said that the country's scenery, along with friendly people and vibrant cities, were key factors in attracting tourists.

New routes

She added: "Tourism is everybody's business and vital to Scotland's economy.

"We will work with the industry to realise its ambition of 50% growth in the next decade."

The inclusion of Prestwick Airport arrivals may have accounted for some of the increase, particularly in the European figures.

The new statistics came as the airport announced two new routes to Warsaw and Gdansk in Poland.

The service will start on 28 March, initially running three times a week.