Tourism to be among decade’s ‘biggest drivers’ of economic growth

Over half a million new jobs will be created in tourism over the next decade, according to tourism body VisitEngland. 

The agency said that a “bumper” 2015 will kick start this decade of growth with an “exceptionally high” number of anniversaries and events happening this year.

James Berresford, chief executive, said: “England’s tourism industry can look forward to 2015 with confidence. There is a cornucopia of stunning events and anniversaries falling this year which we’d expect to drive up visitor numbers right across the country.

“All this with a tailwind of growing consumer confidence and a falling oil price which cuts the cost of leisure travel, makes us optimistic for a busy year of welcoming more visitors from home and abroad.”

One of the biggest tourism events will be the Rugby World Cup in September, which is expected to contribute almost £1bn to the economy during six weeks of games across 10 cities.

Other notable occasions this year include the 800th anniversary of the writing of the Magna Carta, the 50th anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill’s death, the bicentenary of the battle of Waterloo, the 125th anniversary of author Agatha Christie’s birth and the opening of Wayne Hemingway’s Dreamland in Margate, a recreation of the world’s first amusement park.

VisitEngland said that during the recession tourism has been an engine of growth, with holiday spending at home by Britons jumping by 24% between 2008 and 2013, and overseas visitor spend growing by 29% over the same period.

Helen Grant, minister for tourism, said: “The continued success of UK tourism is fantastic news, driving growth and supporting 2.6 million jobs in England alone. We are committed to keeping up this momentum and doing all we can to help an industry that is predicted to double in size over the next decade.”

Image courtesy of VisitEngland/Diana Jarvis