Business barometer growth remains steady and confidence continues to be low, says UKinbound

UKinbound has released its latest tourism ‘Business Barometer’ results, based on members’ feedback regarding hotel business performance in May/June 2018.

Some 72% stated that bookings/visitor numbers/customer orders were the same or higher compared to the same period last year.

For those that were higher, orders had increased by an average of 27%. In addition, 82% had seen yield stay roughly the same or increase compared to 2017 figures.

It also found that business confidence regarding the impending 12 months remained low at 47%, slightly up on March/April figures. However, confidence has steadily declined since September/October 2017, when it stood at 60%.

UKinbound chief executive officer, Deirdre Wells, said: “It’s unfortunate but not surprising that confidence in our industry remains low. The implications of Brexit and resulting uncertainty continues to cause challenges for our members.

“It is positive however to see that yield, alongside bookings/visitor numbers/customer orders, is holding and growing, but the industry needs answers from government about the UK’s relationship with the EU post Brexit in order to safeguard the long-term growth and success of the UK’s inbound tourism industry.”