Tourism on the rise but still 9% short of 2019 levels

24 November 2023 by
Tourism on the rise but still 9% short of 2019 levels

Visits to the UK have increased 112% year-on-year, but is still 9% short of 2019 levels, as tourism continues to return following the pandemic.

The latest Office for National Statistics data has demonstrated that visits to the UK contributed £30b to the country, according to UKHospitality.

The trade body is now calling for measures to make the UK more competitive and attract more visitors to the UK to exceed pre-pandemic levels.

UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: "These figures are really encouraging and show that tourism is making a strong, albeit delayed, recovery from the pandemic.

"The UK is a top destination for foreign visitors, with our superb hospitality offering, culture and extensive history, and these figures show the continued demand to visit.

"However, it is worrying that we still remain almost 10% behind pre-pandemic levels. Our 20% rate of VAT ranks among the highest in Europe and the introduction of tourist taxes in Scotland and Wales will further add to the cost of visiting.

"A reduced rate of VAT for hospitality, leisure and tourism is proven to stimulate demand, both from abroad and domestically, and generate revenue. IIt is the single biggest measure the government can introduce to boost the sector and I would urge them to do just that at the earliest opportunity."

Photo: faithie/Shutterstock

The Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email

Start the working day with The Caterer’s free breakfast briefing email

Sign Up and manage your preferences below

Check mark icon
Thank you

You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon!

Jacobs Media Group is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

close

Ad Blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an adblocker and – although we support freedom of choice – we would like to ask you to enable ads on our site. They are an important revenue source which supports free access of our website's content, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

trade tracker pixel tracking