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UK tourism recovery set for 2004
Visitor numbers to the UK improved in September, but were still a long way off 2000 levels.
BITOA reported that, predictably, the number of visitors in September was up 3.71 percent from September last year. Forward bookings were also up 4.83 percent. However, looking back to the last “normal year”, 2000, visitor figures for the month were 20 percent down, and forward bookings 16 percent down.
BITOA chief executive, Richard Tobias told TravelMole: “We are forecasting a return to 2000 levels for 2004. I think we will see a steady recovery in 2003, subject to the current situation in the Middle East. Looking at other countries like France, Belgium and Italy we aren’t doing badly, but we are not complacent.”
A BITOA statement said: “The figures are going in the right direction despite the political and economic uncertainty, and with shorter lead-in booking times, 2003 could be healthier than was first feared.”
The feeling at BITOA is that bargains on flights and accommodation, and extensive overseas marketing were attracting tourists to the UK. BTA will announce its overseas marketing strategy for 2003 this Thursday.
Read our previous stories:
10-Oct-02 UK August visitor numbers continue summer trend
27-Sep-2002 August UK visitor numbers nearly at 2001 levels
24-Sep-02 Interview: BITOA chief executive Richard Tobias
10-Sep-02 Holidaymakers not afraid to fly
12-Aug-02 Visitor numbers show steady improvement, but still down on last year
28-June-02 UK visitor numbers slip back
27-May-02 BITOA figures show visitors trickling back
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