UK grows in appeal to US travellers and staycationers

By Emma Eversham

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Cent England Uk

The UK is growing in appeal as a tourist destination among Brits as well as a number of international markets, including the US, Canada and China with London the most popular destination within the UK
The UK is growing in appeal as a tourist destination among Brits as well as a number of international markets, including the US, Canada and China with London the most popular destination within the UK
The number of people coming to the UK from America has risen by 23 per cent in the last year with travellers from Canada, Singapore and China also showing a greater interest in the nation as a tourist destination.

According to TripAdvisor's list of the top 10 nationalities of travellers showing interest in the UK, the greatest growth over the last year has come from the US with 23 per cent more American travellers making the trip across the Atlantic to Britain. 

Travellers from Canada, Singapore and China are also showing significantly more interest in Britain as a destination, growing at rates of 21 per cent, 19 per cent and 18 per cent respectively. 

While the UK tops the list of nationalities booking trips in the UK (68 per cent) it is joined in the top 10 by the US, Germany, Italy, France, Australia, Spain, Canada, Ireland and China which Alison Copus, VP marketing TripAdvisor for Business said was evidence of the nation's growing appeal to both mature and emerging markets.  

“In the year of the post-Olympics afterglow and a new royal baby to celebrate, it is clear that the UK’s place on the world stage is as strong as ever. However, the patterns are changing – the traditional European markets looking to the UK as a travel destination are still strong, however they are not growing year-on-year," she said. 

"Though it’s great to see the rising interest from countries such as China and Argentina, the changes in pattern reflect the changes in economic fortunes of other countries around the world. According to China Tourism Academy, China outbound travel is estimated to reach 94 million trips in 2013, up 15 per cent year-on-year. These travellers are estimated to spend US$117.6 billion on their trips, up 20 per cent year-on-year – good news for UK hospitality businesses."  

Staycationers

The survey's results also reinforce predictions by Travelodge and VisitBritain that staycations within the UK are on the rise. While travellers from the UK make up the largest number of visitors to Britain, a list which looks at the markets with the greatest year-on-year growth includes the UK in its top three with growth of 20 per cent. 

A separate survey by PwC looking at consumer behaviour, also found that on average, consumers had maintained their holiday spend this year and breaks remained a key spending priority, although the middle-aged and less affluent were cutting back. 

The most popular UK destinations among Brits are London, Yorkshire, Devon, Cornwall, Cumbria, East Anglia, Kent, Hampshire, Greater Manchester and Dorset while international travellers favour London, Edinburgh, Yorkshire, Scottish Highlands, Cornwall, Devon, Kent, Cumbria, Greater Manchester and Somerset.   

“Overall, interest in UK destinations is on the rise, and not just to the traditional holiday hotspots on the coast or in the capital – the UK’s inland countryside is thriving too, with Yorkshire and the Scottish Highlands both holding a place in the top five destinations for international travellers," said Copus. 

 

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