Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Frequency of visits
impact on visitor numbers and spending. The recent
global recession that started in 2008 has also reduced
the number of overseas visitors to the UK, down from
31.9 million in 2008 to 29.9 million in 2009.
As people continue to work longer hours and lead
busier lives, they want to make the most of their limited
leisure time. The European Travel Commission predicts
that this will lead to a shortening of the main holiday
in favour of more short breaks. The UK already sees
this trend in both domestic and inbound tourism, with
steady growth in 1-3 night visits. The short break trend
fi ts very well with increased demand for special interest
travel.
No. of visits
(millions)
Total spending
(£ billions)
Year
1996
25.2
12.3
1997
25.5
12.2
1998
25.7
12.7
Generating countries and regions
1999
25.4
12.5
2000
25.4
12.8
A generating country or region is the area where
overseas tourists originate (a receiving country is the
place that they visit). We saw earlier in this unit that
France was the number one generating country for
inbound tourism to the UK in 2009, closely followed
by the Irish Republic, USA, Germany and Spain. Many
of the factors affecting inbound tourism discussed
previously will impact on the generating countries for
UK inbound tourists. For example, the strong economy
in the Far East means that visitor numbers to the UK
from this region are increasing. Unfavourable exchange
rates will also have an effect - either positive or negative
- on the numbers of overseas tourists from particular
generating countries. Safety and security fears will also
impact badly on inbound tourism, as was the case with
the drop in overseas tourists to the UK from the USA
after 9/11.
2001
22.8
11.3
2002
24.2
11.7
2003
24.7
11.9
2004
27.8
13.0
2005
30.0
14.2
2006
32.2
15.4
2007
32.7
16.0
2008
31.9
16.3
2009
29.9
16.6
Source: Adapted from VisitBritain data
Fig 3.4 - Trends in inbound tourism
to the UK 1996 - 2009
Activity 3.13
Figures from the UKTS for 2009 show that UK residents
made 126 million trips within the UK, spending more
than £21.8 billion. This was a good year for domestic
tourism - the recession and poor value in Eurozone
countries due to unfavourable exchange rates meant
that more people holidayed in the UK.
Evaluate the potential impact of one factor on the
future of UK inbound and domestic tourism.
This activity is designed to provide evidence for D2.
