Since UK residents voted to leave the European Union there’s been much discussion on how it’ll impact several areas of the UK economy. Insurance for arcades provider Lycetts has taken a close look at tourism and investigated the figures recently.
ABTA’s Travel Trends Report 2017 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.
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.
Some of the 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.
International travellers and their perception of the UK
When surveying over 7,000 international holidaymakers, the Barclays’ Destination UK report found that 97 % wish to see the UK in person within the coming months or at least at some point in the future. 60 % also stated that they were actually now more interested in visiting the UK than they were 12 months previously.
It’s clear that with international visitors continuing to find the UK appealing it is bound to provide a boost to the nation’s economy. VisitBritain has released official statistics which reveal 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 two months.
VisitBritain’s director Patricia Yates enthused, “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.”
