City centre footfall was higher in September than at the height of summer last year, surprise figures have revealed.
More than three million people were recorded in the central shopping area, including Union Street, that month with much of the increase put down to thousands who flocked to Offshore Europe.
More than 20,000 visitors from across the globe flooded the city for the annual energy showcase.
The popular Cafe Culture trial – which involved eateries on Belmont Street, Little Belmont Street and Gaelic Lane setting up tables outside – was has also been attributed for the month’s success.
The figures from last year reveal that 2,005,948 people were recorded in May, compared 2,496,511 in June and 2,562065 in November in the run up to Christmas.
The data was collated through city centre improvement body Aberdeen Inspired’s controversial phone tracking sensors.
Sensors were installed in Union Street to map people’s activity in the key shopping district.
Each sensor uses a wi-fi signal to access the shopper’s unique MAC address on their mobile device.
The scheme was criticised privacy advocates Big Brother Watch who said it was “concerning”.
Gary Craig, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “September last year was particularly busy, with various factors to consider.
“Whilst Offshore Europe traditionally brings a spike in visitors to the north-east, attracting delegates to the city centre has in previous years been a challenge in the face of organised events around the conference centre and other related venues.
“This year it looks as though there was a greater conversion in terms of attracting people to the centre and the same period also included our own cafe culture trial, which proved popular and enticed many who may not otherwise have visited the city centre.
“As an organisation, one of our main goals it to increase footfall within the and the more information we have, the more able we are to make informed decisions on improvements and events that will breathe new life into the area.”