UK tourism up
The UK tourism industry is celebrating today as new figures show that visitor numbers are up 16 per cent on the same period last year.
Tourism accounts for around 4.5 per cent of the UK economy, supporting 2.1 million jobs. In 2003 it contributed over £75 billion to the UK economy. Though the majority of this (around £60 billion) is generated by domestic tourism, the overseas market is still critically important to many businesses.
Visits to the UK, particularly from America, had slumped following the 9/11 attacks, Foot and Mouth, and the Iraq war, but today’s figures show that there was a six per cent increase in US visitors in the 12 months preceding June 2004.
Overall, the number of visitors increased by 16 per cent, with a seven per cent increase from Europe, six per cent from North America and 11 per cent from the rest of the world.
However, there has been a blip this year with a one per cent decrease in visits between April and June compared to the previous three months.
Spending from overseas visitors is yet to return to pre 2000/01 levels.
The new figures were hailed by Visit Britain as the “best ever” sixth months. Analysing the three month April to June period it points to a resurgence in US visitors and a significant increase in visitors from eastern Europe and long-haul destinations.
Kenny Boyle, VisitBritain’s international marketing director, said: “Despite greater competition from new destinations, changes in global travel trends and the challenges of the past few years, visitors continue to be drawn by Britain’s unique appeal.”
“Anecdotal evidence from our partners in the industry suggests that much of the increased growth in this month’s figures is coming from new and emerging markets – such as China and Russia – rather than from the traditionally high-spending North Americans. Many of our competitors are already ahead of Britain in making significant investment in such markets.”
He pledged to build on the positive results and focus on “touring, city breaks and good living” to attract more visitors.
