Angus attractions helped draw a massive £105 million tourism boost to the area last year.
VisitScotland has revealed visitors spent big at the likes of Forfar Loch Country Park and Crombie Country Park as the Angus and Dundee area enjoyed a windfall.
Tourism chiefs are now looking to increase the number of folk coming to the region from abroad.
Jim Clarkson, VisitScotland’s regional director, said the county’s rural offerings, mixed with city sites like Dundee Contemporary Arts, The McManus Museum and Camperdown Wildlife Centre have proven a winning formula.
“There’s lots of stuff to see and do with a key selling point being the great mix of rural versus city,” he said.
“The central location in the country, as well as the ease of accessibility and the area’s great travel links, mean we have a really strong offering for visitors.
“It’s already a pretty healthy tourism revenue, but we’re looking to increase our visitor numbers by 5% this year, particularly among the overseas market.”
Visitors from the UK spent an average of £216.50 per person as 485,000 people visited Dundee and Angus in 2015.
But tourists from abroad accounted for only 16% of the visitor count, despite spending 28% of the total amount.
Almost 50% of visitors to Dundee and Angus came from other places within Scotland.
“People don’t think about the east of Scotland as a tourist spot and a large part of my job is to ensure that we’re a part of the mix,” Mr Clarkson added.
“It’s such a competitive tourist industry in the UK but we can compete with the best I believe.
“There are so many opportunities for development, such as Hospitalfield in Arbroath.
“It has a great story and I would love to see this developed.”
Billy Gartley, head of cultural services at Leisure & Culture Dundee said: “We continue to provide a range of cultural activities across Dundee which we hope will increase visitors and encourage tourism.
“We are pleased our visitor figures have remained healthy and we are optimistic the new programmes, events and exhibitions at our key sites will continue to attract people to the city.”