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Inbound tourism prospects ‘to get worse before getting better’
A range of external factors including war in Lebanon, rising oil prices and the weakness of the US dollar have dampened UK visitor prospects.
Trade association UKinbound fears a second successive weak second six months of the year after members recorded “modest” first half growth of just 0.57%.
Visitor numbers in June increased by only 0.9%, compared with 5.8% growth the same month last year.
Forward bookings in June this year were up by only 0.2% against 2.9% in May, 0.8% in April and 1.4% in March.
UKinbound’s Business Barometer for June said the industry can expect “little respite” from external pressures.
“Indeed, as consumer confidence and spending comes under pressure our lack of competitiveness in the global tourism marketplace will take it toll,” the organisation warned. “It is, therefore, likely that things will get worse before they get better.”
The organisation found that more than a quarter of members, which represent almost 300 companies, noticed a decline in inbound business due to the summer’s sporting events, with 23% seeing no change and more than half experiencing a rise in business.
“We were unable to ascertain if this was before or after England exited the World Cup,” UKinbound said.
Report by Phil Davies
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