JoshEver since the UK voted to leave the EU there’s been no end to discussions about how it’ll impact the UK economy. There’s an argument to suggest the economy will flourish and, an equally compelling argument to suggest it will falter Insurance for arcades provider Lycetts has taken a close look at one sector, tourism and it seems there’ been nothing too negative to report so far.
A Barclays report has also found that the staycation is becoming more popular among Brits too. In its Destination UK report, it was revealed that more than a third of adults across Britain are choosing to holiday closer to home this year, due to personal preference.
Reasons behind those decisions are interesting. 34% said choice was the main reason, stating ‘I would like to spend more time in the UK’. 32% said cost, 23% said, ‘I enjoyed a recent UK holiday and so am keen to replicate this’. 15% said the number of activities available here as a major reason, stating ‘there are more holiday activities in the UK than there were in the past’. Finally, 14% cited time as a main reason, stating ‘I have less time than I have had previously to holiday abroad’.
The report also established that 40% of those looking into a UK-based holiday in 2017 are considering a city break and 37% are more inclined to visit and stay in a rural spot. The report also suggest that UK’s economy is benefitting from the staycation becoming more popular with Brits.
An ABTA’s Travel Trends Report this year found that early bookings for overseas holidays to be taken throughout summer 2017 were tracking 11 per cent above last year’s figures. Those planning an overseas holiday are also finding new experiences particularly appealing. Within the report Report it has also been recorded that the number of domestic holidays across the UK increased to 71 per cent throughout 2016, which is an increase from the 64 % logged during 2015.
International traveller visits to the UK
When surveying 7,000 international holidaymakers, the Destination Report found that 97 % wish to see the UK in person within the coming months. 60 % said that they were in fact now even more interested in visiting the UK than they were 12 months previously.
With so many international visitors continuing to find the UK appealing it is bound to provide a boost to the nation’s economy. VisitBritain remains positive, they’ve released official statistics which state that in January and February 2017 alone, overseas visitors spent a record £2.7 billion. It’s an increase of 11% compared to 2016’s figures over the same couple of months.
VisitBritain’s director Patricia Yates was in buoyant mood recently. She said, “Figures show that 2017 is off to a cracking start for inbound tourism, one of our most valuable export industries. Britain is offering great value for overseas visitors and we can see the success of our promotions in international markets. We must continue to build on our message of welcome and value in our high spending markets such as China, the US and the valuable European market.”