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Tourists to UK forecast to spend record
levels in 2018
IT has been a record, year to date, for
inbound tourism to the UK, with growth set to continue in 2018 according to
forecasts from national tourism agency VisitBritain.
Overseas visits to the UK are forecast to break through the 40 million mark for
the st time in 2018, reaching 41.7 million, up 4.4% on 2017 which is expected
to see 39.9 million visits.
Spending by overseas visitors to the UK is forecast to reach ₤26.9 billion in
2018, up 6.8% on 2017 which is expected to total ₤25.1 billion by year end.
VisitBritain
Director Patricia Yates said:- "Tourism is 1 of the UK's most valuable
export industries. It is also a fiercely competitive global industry and these
results not only demonstrate Britain's continued ability to compete
internationally for visitors, they are testament to tourism's importance as a
driver of economic growth. We are working with partners across the world to tell
customers of experiences they can only have in Britain and encourage them to
book a trip now. We have seen good growth this year from the US and China, and
are developing new products that make it easier for overseas visitors to book
and explore all of Britain."
VisitBritain promotes the UK internationally as a visitor destination as part of
the UK Government's global GREAT Britain campaign.
The UK was ranked 3rd for tourism globally in the 2017 Anholt-GfK Nation Brands
Index (NBI) published last month, equalling its highest rank ever and up 2
places from 2016. The NBI considered attributes including:- historic
buildings and monuments, having a vibrant City life and natural beauty. When
considering its overall brand, the UK ranked 3rd out of 50 nations, a position
it has held since 2011.
Tourism is worth ₤127 billion to the UK economy, creating jobs and boosting
economic growth across its nations and regions.
This is good news for the likes of Southport,
whose local economy is largely supported by Tourism, along with Cities like
Liverpool.
Did you know that:-
VisitBritain is the name used by the British Tourist Authority, founded in 2003
under the UK's Development of Tourism Act 1969.
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