The total value of tourism to the UK is set to rise by more than 60 per cent to £188 billion over the next decade, says an independent report commissioned by VisitBritain. Research from Deloitte and Oxford Economics forecasts that the favourable exchange rate, the lure of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the appeal of world-renowned attractions, should ensure the sector grows at an above-average 3.5 per cent per annum between now and 2020. The number of jobs supported by tourism over that period is predicted to rise by 264,000 - from 2.63 million now, to 2.89 million. The report also shows that tourism is disproportionately important in rural areas and for part-time female workers.
This forecast adds to the HLF figures published in March 2010 that demonstrated the significance of heritage-led tourism in the UK tourism industry; some £20.6 billion per annum, supporting 466,000 jobs. This latest research means the total economic contribution of the Visitor Economy – covering firms directly and indirectly involved in tourism - is poised to expand faster than retail, chemicals, transport, the utilities and manufacturing. Only construction and financial and business services look more promising.
These figures make tourism Britain’s fifth biggest industry and third largest foreign exchange earner.
Taken from Heritage Link
No comments:
Post a Comment