43% increase in North American visitors as inbound tourism rises

A 43% increase in North American visitors drove an overall rise of inbound UK tourism in the month of March.

According to the British Hospitality Association’s (BHA) Travel Monitor, the number of visitors to the UK in March was up 23% year-on-year. Visitors from Europe saw an uptick of 4%.

The number of business visitors fell, with a drop of 6% when compared to the same period last year.

Spending by tourists to the UK increased by 14% year-on-year.

Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive of the BHA, said: “Trading in March has been very encouraging and the low rate of sterling presents a great opportunity for our industry to welcome an increasing number of foreign visitors.

“With political and economic uncertainty increasing, it is more important than ever to ensure that UK tourism can compete. The UK continues to have a 20% VAT rate on tourism which is twice the average rate across Europe.

“Alongside businesses investing in the apprenticeship levy, rising business rates and the threat of online platforms such as Airbnb, this signals concern for businesses in the industry, four out of five of which are SMEs.”