This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30613957
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Tourists to UK 'to spend record levels in 2015' | Tourists to UK 'to spend record levels in 2015' |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Spending by tourists visiting the UK is expected to reach record levels next year, the government has said. | Spending by tourists visiting the UK is expected to reach record levels next year, the government has said. |
Spending by overseas visitors will top £22bn for the first time, according to forecasts by tourism body VisitBritain. | Spending by overseas visitors will top £22bn for the first time, according to forecasts by tourism body VisitBritain. |
Tourists spent £21bn in 2013, while this year's total is forecast to be about £21.3bn. | Tourists spent £21bn in 2013, while this year's total is forecast to be about £21.3bn. |
There has also been a surge in the number of Chinese tourists and the amount they are spending. They spent £492m in 2013, up from £184m in 2010. | There has also been a surge in the number of Chinese tourists and the amount they are spending. They spent £492m in 2013, up from £184m in 2010. |
Over that period, the number of visits from Chinese people rose by 79.1% to 196,000. | Over that period, the number of visits from Chinese people rose by 79.1% to 196,000. |
Overall, the number of visits by people from overseas is expected to increase next year, with 35.1 million trips expected - up 2.5% on this year and compared with 29.8 million in 2010. | Overall, the number of visits by people from overseas is expected to increase next year, with 35.1 million trips expected - up 2.5% on this year and compared with 29.8 million in 2010. |
In 2010, the total spend from overseas visitors was £16.8bn. | In 2010, the total spend from overseas visitors was £16.8bn. |
'Attracted by Downton' | |
Tourism has grown at a faster rate than other industries since the end of the recession and is one of the UK's main export earners. | Tourism has grown at a faster rate than other industries since the end of the recession and is one of the UK's main export earners. |
In June, VisitEngland highlighted a gap between the growth in visits to London, which it said were up 14% since 2008 - and those to the rest of England, down 4%. | |
But Tourism Minister Helen Grant said that as well as major London attractions, tourists were keen to see Premier League football matches, Bicester village in Oxfordshire and Stratford-upon-Avon. | |
She told the BBC: "Americans continue to visit, they spend most money and they've been attracted by [television] programmes like Downton Abbey and Sherlock Holmes." | |
The UK is also encouraging more visitors from Mexico to visit Britain in 2015 - which the countries' governments have designated the Year of Mexico in the UK and the Year of the UK in Mexico - as both look to showcase their best culture, arts and creative industries. | The UK is also encouraging more visitors from Mexico to visit Britain in 2015 - which the countries' governments have designated the Year of Mexico in the UK and the Year of the UK in Mexico - as both look to showcase their best culture, arts and creative industries. |
The number of visits by Mexicans climbed from 67,000 in 2010 to 108,000 in 2013. | The number of visits by Mexicans climbed from 67,000 in 2010 to 108,000 in 2013. |
Americans part with more money than any other nationality, spending £2.5bn in 2013, up 19.4% on 2010. | Americans part with more money than any other nationality, spending £2.5bn in 2013, up 19.4% on 2010. |
Spending by visitors from France (up 18% to £1.35bn) and Germany (up 18% to £1.4bn) also grew strongly in the four years to 2013. | Spending by visitors from France (up 18% to £1.35bn) and Germany (up 18% to £1.4bn) also grew strongly in the four years to 2013. |
The French visit Britain the most, with 3.9 million visits in 2013 while Germany is second, with 3.1 million visits in 2013. | The French visit Britain the most, with 3.9 million visits in 2013 while Germany is second, with 3.1 million visits in 2013. |
'Great' campaign | 'Great' campaign |
GREAT - Britain's biggest ever tourism campaign - was launched in 2011 to promote Britain abroad ahead of the London 2012 Olympics. | GREAT - Britain's biggest ever tourism campaign - was launched in 2011 to promote Britain abroad ahead of the London 2012 Olympics. |
Its aim was to attract 4.6 million more visitors, £2.3bn in additional visitor-spend, and £1bn of extra investment over the next four years. | Its aim was to attract 4.6 million more visitors, £2.3bn in additional visitor-spend, and £1bn of extra investment over the next four years. |
VisitBritain chief executive Sally Balcombe said tourism would continue to be one of the country's major export earners. | VisitBritain chief executive Sally Balcombe said tourism would continue to be one of the country's major export earners. |
"One of our priorities for 2015 will be to inspire international visits to the nations and regions and showcase Britain's magnificent countryside," she added. | "One of our priorities for 2015 will be to inspire international visits to the nations and regions and showcase Britain's magnificent countryside," she added. |
"Our GREAT campaign continues to produce results and generated at least £1.8bn from inbound visitors in its first three years, creating economic value and jobs across Britain's tourism businesses." | "Our GREAT campaign continues to produce results and generated at least £1.8bn from inbound visitors in its first three years, creating economic value and jobs across Britain's tourism businesses." |
Previous version
1
Next version