Attractions industry news

02 Sep 2015

Record inbound visits during H1, but strong Pound suffocates spending

British inbound tourism maintained its momentum in the first half of 2015, setting a new record for overseas visitor numbers, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics.

There were 16.8 million inbound visits to Britain from January to June 2015 – an increase of five per cent compared to the first half of 2014. The encouraging results come following a record year for inbound tourism with 34.8 million visitors coming to Britain’s shores during 2014.

In addition, visits to the UK by overseas visitors are 3 per cent higher in the twelve months to June 2015, compared to the previous twelve month period. In June, the UK welcomed 3.23 million visitors, in line with the record figure set in June 2014.

The North American market continues to show recovery, with an increase of 15 per cent during June compared to the previous year, while the number of visits for the first six months of 2015 were up by 4 per cent.

Despite the boost in visitor numbers, overall visitor spending stayed unexpectedly flat as a strong pound – particularly against the Euro – left visitors with less money to play with on their trip. Overseas visitors spent £2.1bn while in the UK during June, 1 per cent below the record set in June 2014. However, overseas visitor spending remained on-par with the first six months of 2014, which ended up being a record year for spend.

“Tourism continues to be one of Britain’s most successful industries, where we are competing in an environment of shifting exchange rates,” said Patricia Yates, VisitBritain director of strategy and communications.

“It is also positive to see continued return to growth from North America, our most valuable market, and business visitors.”

<< Back

News powered by attractionsmanagement.com

The Everyday Heritage initiative celebrates and preserves working class histories

Off the back of the success of the first round of Everyday Heritage Grants in 2022, Historic England is funding 56 creative projects that honour the heritage of working-class England. [more...]

Heartbreak for Swedish theme park, Liseberg, as fire breaks out

A fire has destroyed part of the new water world, Oceana, at Liseberg in Sweden, and a construction worker has been reported missing. [more...]

Raby Castle reveals ambitious plans to become a major visitor destination

Raby Castle, known as one of the finest medieval fortifications in England, is nearing the end of an ambitious two-year renovation project. [more...]

Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion

Wake the Tiger, the Bristol-based immersive art experience, is set to open its 1,000sq m expansion on Friday 2 February. [more...]

Tate Modern and Frame collaborate on a mind/body experience

London boutique operator, Frame, has teamed up with the Tate Modern to offer two yin and sound yoga classes, following by a tour of the art gallery. [more...]

Elvis Presley Live is rolling out globally

Immersive entertainment specialists, Layered Reality, is creating a tribute to Elvis Presley featuring a concert experience with a life-sized digital Elvis. [more...]

In brief:

@PerthMuseumUK to open Easter weekend, bringing the Stone of Destiny back to Scotland for the first time in more than 700 years @culturepandk @mecanoo_ [more...]
Excitement for Bedford as the town could be home to Europe’s first Universal Studios @parks_universal [more...]
Google launches Gemini AI – its ChatGPT killer @google [more...]
Tourism think tank explores gender equity and male allyship @tourismsociety [more...]
Accenture says AI is bringing on a decade of deconstruction @AccentureSong #Accenture #AI #Technology [more...]
Back in time – visitors experience 1960s healthcare in Black Country Museum's new living history centre @BCLivingMuseum #BlackCountry #NHS #History [more...]
Attractions.io creates night-time map for Alton Towers @attractions_io @daz_black @altontowers #AltonTowers #MerlinEntertainments #DazBlack #DazGames [more...]
'Birthplace of Scottish tourism', Trossachs Pier, to get iconic viewing tower @lomondtrossachs #LochLomond #Trossachs [more...]
Therme appoints UK CEO as £250m Therme Manchester gets planning approval #spa #wellness #wellbeing #health #fitness #investsment #development #progress [more...]
More news from attractionsmanagement.com>>
<< Back