NEWS Tourism bodies question ONS figures
By Samantha Mayling and Angie Cronin
VisitBritain and UKinbound have queried figures from the Office of National Statistics, which reported an 8% year-on-year fall in the number of overseas visits from April to June 2018, Over the three-month period,
there were 10 million visits to the UK, 8% down year-on-year. The ONS highlighted the fact
that, despite the decrease in overseas visits for three consecutive months, visitor numbers for the corresponding three-month period of 2017 were the highest ever recorded by the survey. However, the ONS has not given any explanation for the fall in overseas visits. The spending by overseas
visitors has also fallen year-on- year, with a 10% fall to £5.8 billion during April-June. VisitBritain voiced concerns
about the ONS report, claiming there are “some discrepancies with other data”. Patricia Yates, VisitBritain director,
acknowledged there has been a slowing in growth from European markets this year, but added: “The latest International Passenger Survey’s quarterly statistics for our long-haul markets, where the trend overall has been one of rapid growth,
It’s very encouraging to hear that the Chinese visitor market is going from strength to strength
shows some discrepancies with other data and booking sources and we are in conversation with the Office for National Statistics about this.” UKinbound said research carried
out among its members is telling a different story. Mark McVay, chairman, said:
“We know that business for some of our London attraction members has softened this year but one of our recent Business Barometers demonstrated that for 72% of those who responded to our survey,
business activity in May and June this year was the same or had increased compared to the same period in 2017. “Brexit has not appeared to have
had a major effect on our members’ businesses to date in terms of visitor numbers but we will of course continue to monitor this closely.” UKinbound research also showed
members had a strong summer, thanks to the heatwave and visitors from China. More than three quarters (78%)
of members of UKinbound reported that their revenue rose or stayed the same in July and August, compared to the same months last year. The survey also found that 56%
of members were feeling confident about business conditions in the upcoming 12 months – the highest figure recorded this year. A record 30% of members said
China is now their main growth market. The US ranked second, with 11% of members stating it was their largest growth market. China and the US have continually
ranked first or second as the leading growth markets for UKinbound members since July 2015. “It’s very encouraging to hear
that the Chinese visitor market is going from strength to strength,”
said McVay.
ukinbound.org ons.gov.uk
VisitEngland has launched an online education toolkit to help tourism businesses in England to sell their products and services internationally. Called Taking England to the
VisitEngland launches inbound tourism education programme Users can find commercial
World - an inbound tourism toolkit, the guide has been created to support destinations and small- and medium- sized tourism businesses make the move into overseas markets. It has been designed to
give tourism businesses and destinations the basic tools, knowledge and key contacts needed to enter the export tourism market.
4 TravelGBI | November 2018
business advice, tips and case studies to support businesses in promoting their tourism products, experiences and destinations to international markets. Carol Dray, VisitEngland commercial director, said: “The tourism education programme will support businesses to bring new and existing products into international markets and grow inbound tourism as a whole, increasing the value of the industry
to England’s economy.” Taking England to the World – an
inbound tourism toolkit is the first
VisitBritain reveals 25:1 return on investment
Visitors to Britain spent more than £1 billion in 2017, as a result of activity by national tourism agency VisitBritain/ VisitEngland. The statistics from the
agency’s annual review show that for every pound invested in the agency, visitors spent £25 in Britain. As well as the government’s
£39.2 million investment, the agency attracted £13 million of investment from commercial partners and delivered £2 million profit from its online shop. Steve Ridgway, chief executive
of the British Tourist Authority – which runs VisitBritain/ VisitEngland – hailed tourism as a “£127 billion powerhouse” but warned of “significant challenges”, with Brexit being the most important. He also welcomed domestic
tourism figures in England, but again warned of challenges. In 2017, £70 billion was
spent by domestic tourists in England, supporting millions of jobs, and staycations accounted for almost 80% of all tourism activity, Ridgway added: “While
these are good results, we still see a trade deficit, with more spent overseas by British tourists than inbound visitors spend in Britain, and many young people finding it easier to jump on a cheap flight and head elsewhere than discover this country.” Ridgway is leading the
tourism industry’s bid for a sector deal under the government’s Industrial Strategy. “A sector deal would spell
in a series of assets being produced by VisitEngland to help businesses
trade internationally.
visitbritain.org
a step-change in how we underpin the success of tourism
for a generation,” he said.
visitbritain.org
travelgbi.com
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