Visits to UK tourist attractions continued to increase in 2011, rising by 7.3% to 232 million, but this was mainly down to a rise in attendance at free attractions such as museums and heritage sites.
Although expenditure on admissions was up almost 14%, this was largely due to increased ticket prices. Spend is expected to have increased by a similar amount last year, according to a new report by international research company researchandmarkets.com.
It said more and more amusements were "struggling to keep afloat" as many consumers opt to visit attractions that offer free entry in order to save money "due to the problematic economic conditions".
The popularity of the "staycation" had also helped boost visits as the number of domestic tourists rose 8.7% overall between 2008 and 2012, it added, but the number of overseas visitors fell by 2.5% in the same five-year period. The figure is expected to have risen 1% in 2012.
The UK ranks seventh in terms of international tourist arrivals, according to MasterCard Worldwide Insights for 2012, with the country’s appeal boosted by a number of globally televised events including the Royal Wedding, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralymic Games.
"Over the coming years, a return to economic stability should help to encourage consumers to spend more on leisure activities, such as visiting tourist attractions, including both paid-for and free institutions," said the report.
"However, factors such as increases in Air Passenger Duty could have a negative effect on the domestic tourism industry, with the country continuing to remain one of the most expensive for tourists due to high levels of VAT and other tax. "Nevertheless, expenditure on admissions to visitor attractions is likely to continue to observe double-digit growth over the next few years, with ticket prices expected to continue to rise, as a result of inflationary increases and market pressures."
