Inbound market on the mend
Trade association UKinbound released new data for 2022, showing the inbound sector is beginning to recover.
In a March survey of members over one in three (39%) stated that international bookings and visitors for April/May/June 2022 were expected to be the same or higher than pre-pandemic
However the majority (61%) are expecting international bookings/visitors to be down, by an average of 47%.
Inbound tourism businesses revenue predictions for this period were similar, with almost half (45%) expecting them to be the same or higher than pre-pandemic
About 55% expect them to be lower by an average of 49%.
The US market is recovering the strongest, with one in three businesses seeing growth.
Parallels also emerged when businesses were asked to consider international bookings and visitors between July and December 2022, compared with pre-pandemic.
Half are expecting figures to be the same or higher, and 50% expect international bookings and visitor numbers to be lower by an average of 41%.
Joss Croft, CEO, UKinbound said “It’s fantastic to see international travellers returning to the UK and we’re delighted to see the strongest growth from our number one market, the US.”
“We need a more competitive visa system, to rectify the devastating impact the removal of ID Card usage has had on the UK’s inbound youth traveller sector.”
UKinbound represents over 300 UK tourism businesses that service international tourists visiting the UK.
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