NORTH Ayrshire’s three main tourist assets will be the focus of a campaign aimed at boosting visitor numbers to the area.

Golf, sailing and the island of Arran have been identified as priortities in a new drive to promote tourism by North Ayrshire Council.

Concentrating on the area’s key strengths will allow the council to assess the scope for the longer term promotion of other resources.

The total number of visitors to North Ayrshire – and the income generated – is already above the national average.

However, the figures could be improved by concentrating on specific sectors and taking advantage of the potential spin-off, according to a report presented to the council’s cabinet.

The three-pronged initiative has been established following a review of the local tourism economy which concluded that the greatest number of visitors came to North Ayrshire for its 21 golf courses, the beautiful sailing waters of the Firth of Clyde and the many attractions of Arran, which is now recognised as one of Scotland’s most desirable island holiday spots.

The cabinet report used local and national tourism figures for 2011 to 2012 to illustrate how the area compares with others in Scotland.

Visitor numbers in North Ayrshire during the period rose 1.12 per cent while the Scottish figure was down one per cent.

Tourism revenue was also up 3.08 per cent in North Ayrshire but down three per cent nationally.

More than a million people visit the area each year, spending £132million and providing full-time employment for 3,158 people, the report adds.

North Ayrshire Council works with the other two Ayrshire authorities in a joint approach on tourism objectives. Some 3.5 million visitors come to the wider Ayrshire region each year, bringing in revenue of £360million.

The council makes an annual contribution of £181,900 towards the cost of this.

Councillor Marie Burns, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, said: “It is pleasing to see that the progress we have already made in tourism development in North Ayrshire has achieved returns above the national average.

“Tourism is a significant industry in the area, making an important and increasing contribution to our economy.

“We must have a clear plan in place to capitalise on our assets.

“By concentrating on three priority areas, we can test the water and use the results to develop the potential of our other tourism resources.”