Tourism to grow faster than other UK industries in next 10 years

Research by VisitBritain predicts that tourism will grow faster than many other industries in the UK over the next 10 years with inbound visitor spend expected to double during that period.​

According to analysis by Deloitte and Oxford Economics, released at the start of British Tourism Week, the value of tourism in the UK is expected to grow by 3.5 per cent per year, meaning it will grow quicker than manufacturing, retailing, transport and communications.

It also found that the industry is currently worth £115bn and employs 2.6 million people, making it Britain’s fifth biggest industry. SMEs account for around 200,000 or so companies involved in the visitor economy.

Tourism jobs​

Christopher Rodrigues, chairman of VisitBritain, said: “Tourism is one of the few industries that supports jobs across the country in our cities, sea-side towns and rural areas, cannot be outsourced and has the potential to grow and support 250,000 more jobs with continued investment.

"Tourism is an industry in which Britain punches above its weight and is truly globally competitive – we are currently 6th in the world – but its benefits in income both to the Treasury and to local communities and in shaping Britain’s image abroad as a place to do business are often taken for granted.

"We now have the catalyst of being host to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to revitalise the welcome we offer the world, and I hope this research will underline what an historic opportunity we all have to work for.”

VisitBritain predicts that spending by foreign visitors will rise from £16bn this year to £31bn in 2020. Spend by UK residents is predicted to rise from £72bn this year to £113bn in 2020.