Scotland’s traditional short-term rental sector continues to make a positive impact on the Scottish economy, a new report has found. 

The findings, compiled by data research organisation Frontline on behalf of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC), show that professional short-term rentals generates £723million of economic activity within the Scottish economy annually.

It also found that the sector supports 15,000 FTE jobs in Scotland and plays a significant role in Scotland’s growing tourism sector.

In stark contrast to the recent flurry of groundless criticisms aimed at short-term letting in Scotland, the new report, Far More Than Just Houses: The Benefits of the Short-Term Rental Sector to Scotland, brings together serious research to demonstrate the real impact of the industry in Scotland.

Far More than Just Houses builds on previous work, including a previous Frontline study into the economic impact of short-term rentals and research undertaken by the Scottish Government, to show how essential short-term rentals are to the growing Scottish economy.

This comprehensive piece of work also looks into other areas of short-term rental in Scotland, including its impact on housing supply, tax, and society.

The ASSC is the leading source of knowledge on short-term rental and holiday homes in Scotland. The ASSC is also the only trade body representing the interests of the sector.

ASSC Chief Executive, Fiona Campbell, said: “We at the ASSC are delighted to see the release of this important and timely report.

“The information and research contained in this excellent paper show how important the short-term rental sector is to the Scottish tourism and wider economies.

“We hope that stakeholders from across Scotland, particularly those who have drawn prejudicial conclusions about what we do, will take the time to read it and consider its findings.”

Download the report here.