GLENEAGLES will open a golf course in outer space, Albania will become Europe's trendiest beach resort, and Scotland will be the world leader in gastronomic excellence.
These scenarios might sound like a far-fetched Doctor Who plot, but they are genuine predictions for the future, made by one of the world's leading tourism experts.
As a scenario planner for VisitScotland, Professor Ian Yeoman advised the nationa
l tourist agency on the possible impacts of foot-and-mouth, Norwegian salmon disease and conflict in the Middle East.
Now the professional futurologist has written a book outlining the major trends which he believes will shape world tourism in 2030.
Tomorrow's Tourist, which has been endorsed by the United Nations, makes a number of startling predications, the most surprising of which is the prospect of tourists blasting off into the heavens for a round of golf.
The professor of tourism management at New Zealand's Victoria University writes: "In 2030 the Gleneagles Lunar Space Station will be the world's most exclusive resort.
"Catching the Virgin Galactic from Auchterarder, space tourists will fasten their seat belts, hear the rockets roar and feel the sudden power acceleration of 4G. As the spaceship reaches the stratosphere, tourists will gaze down on planet Earth for the most exclusive view available.
"During their stay at the Gleneagles Space Station tourists will take in a round of golf, take the lunar buggy out for a spin and float around the leisure complex. They will enjoy the best of Scottish cuisine – vacuum-packed."
Yeoman, a former lecturer at Edinburgh's Napier University, insists his vision is far from a flight of fancy. "The Virgin Galactic is a real proposition starting a regular passenger service in 2009 from New Mexico.
"It is an exclusive travel experience, with celebrities and the mega-rich initially paying £100,000 for the privilege.
"By 2012 this price should fall to £37,500 which, in real terms, is far cheaper than the first scheduled flight to cross the Atlantic. By 2030 space tourism should be affordable to all."
In 2006 entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson held talks with senior officers at RAF Lossiemouth with a view to establishing a launch pad for space tourism at the Moray base.
Back on Earth, Yeoman, a member of the World Futures Society, predicts that in 22 years' time Greece, Spain and Italy will be overshadowed by an unlikely rival.
"The mountainous country of Albania on the Adriatic Sea, once a shadowy Communist prison state, will emerge as a leading southern European destination by 2030.
"This is because of its low cost of living, sunny climate, sandy beaches, stunning landscape and proximity to European markets."
He also predicts cash-strapped Europeans will take advantage of the former Stalinist country's rock-bottom property prices to snap up thousands of holiday homes.
"The price of second homes in eastern Europe could fall as a result of the present credit crisis," he says.
Previously, under dictator Enver Hoxha, Albania became isolated from the rest of the world and was regarded by Washington and Moscow as backwards and repressive.
For more than four decades few Albanians were permitted to leave its shores and visitor permits for outsiders were scarce.
Now, as a democracy aiming for EU membership, Albania is already building a fledgling tourism sector.
The self-proclaimed "professional crystal ball gazer" also predicts Scotland will undergo a culinary renaissance, which will bring tourists flocking.
He compiled a mock report for the Michelin Food Guide 2015, which he says will be replicated for real in the future.
His imaginary trademark dish for Scotland will be poached wild venison, served with a loganberry jelly.
It reads: "Scotland's cuisine is in a world of its own. It has the finest food in Europe, surpassing the best restaurants in France and Italy."
Yeoman also predicts that political change will help tourism flourish north of the border. "Scotland could emerge as an independent nation, fuelling an interest in it as a destination. The country's strong business tourism products, perception of being a safe country and proximity to Europe should also facilitate growth."
A spokesman for Gleneagles admitted the prediction that it would one day operate a corporate space station was "an unusual one".
