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UK visitor arrivals slump in May
Thursday, 17 Jul, 2009
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The number of overseas residents visiting the UK in May was down 14% year-on-year.
Spending in May this year was 11% lower than the same month last year.
There were 12% fewer overseas visitors to the UK in the first five months of 2009 compared to the same period last year.
Total spending over this period was three per cent lower.
The UK also suffered a fall in arrivals in 2008, according to official figures.
A VisitBritain spokesman said: “The decline in visitor numbers and spending in 2008 was certainly not unexpected.
“The figures illustrate the continuing challenges of maintaining Britain’s popularity as a destination as the global economic downturn began to bite and in the face of increasing competition from rival destinations.
“There are positive signs for the start of 2009 as a weak pound offers value for money that other countries cannot match.
“However, we still expect 2009 to be equally challenging and will be doing all we can to remind international visitors of the many quality experiences they can enjoy here."
On the May figures, the national tourism agency spokesman said: “Thanks to good exchange rates in May, Britain continues to do better than expected given the challenging economic climate that is affecting global travel.
“A serious decline in business travel is the greatest factor influencing the figures as holiday trips from overseas continue to perform well.
“The figures give us further evidence that Brits are also taking fewer breaks abroad, which could prove a boon to the domestic tourism industry."
Office for National Statistics figures show that arrivals from North America were down 19% in the first five months of the year.
Visits from EU countries were down by five per cent compared to the same period of 2008 while numbers from non-EU countries in Europe dropped by 16%.
Arrivals from other parts of the world (Central and South America, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Australasia) were down by 15%.
Outbound visits by UK residents in the first five months were down by 17%, with travel to North America down by 25%, visits to Europe down 16%, and visits to the remaining parts of the world down by 15%.
Outbound visitors spent 16% less in January to May 2009 compared to the same period of 2008.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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