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The UK’s tourism sector is expected to enjoy tourist spend growth of £1bn in 2015, according to forecast figures from tourism board VisitBritain.
The forecast predicts that inbound tourism spend will rise by 4.5% in 2015, with visitors from overseas expected to spend £22.2bn – an increase of almost £1bn on 2014.
As well as spend rising the number of visits from people from overseas is expected to increase with 35.1 million trips expected in 2015, up 2.5% on 2014.
Sustained effort over the last few years with the government’s investment in the GREAT campaign, to sell Britain to key markets around the world, and a simplified visa system – which has encourages more high-spending tourists from china to visit the UK – are making a significant impact.
Growth from Chinese tourists has been particularly strong in the last four years. They spent £492m in 2013, up from £184m in 2010. Over that period the number of visits from Chinese people rose by 79.1% to 196,000.
The United States of America is the nation that spends the most on trips to the UK – spending £2.5bn in 2013, up 19.4% on 2010 (£2.1 billion).
Spend by visitors from France and Germany has also grown strongly in the four years to 2013 – up 18.2% and 18% to £1.35 billion and £1.4bn respectively.
The French visit Britain the most, with 3.9 million visits in 2013, up 8.6% on 2010 while Germany is second, with 3.1 million visits in 2013, up 5.3% compared to 2010.
Sajid Javid, Culture Secretary, said: “The tourism sector is driving economic growth for Britain. The Olympic Games and Diamond Jubilee gave us a great platform to showcase the best of Britain but we didn’t stop there and have kept up the momentum in the last two years.
“Britain has so much to offer tourists with our stunning countryside, great heritage and world class sport and culture. Working closely with the tourism industry we will continue to champion the UK abroad as part of our long term economic plan.”
Image courtesy of VisitEngland/Diana Jarvis
