Downturn predicted – but not for long
The UK is likely to see almost 600,000 fewer overseas visitors following last week’s London bombings, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.
A meeting of the WTTC crisis committee estimated Britain could expect a 1.9% decline in arrivals, around 588,000 people, with the impact felt throughout 2006 but fading in 2007.
The figures emerged shortly after the WTTC urged people to “carry on travelling.”
WTTC president Jean-Claude Baumgarten said: “It is expected that the impact of the London bombings, much like that realised by the Madrid and Bali bombings, will continue into 2006 but will have completely dissipated by 2007. Of course this assumes that UK authorities undertake at least similarly strong measures of reassurance and encouragement to regain and rebuild visitor confidence and that no further events take place in the meantime.”
The crisis committee also predicted that revenue generated by domestic leisure travel would fall £2.3 billion and business travel by £523 million.
It added the fact that companies recovered their stock value within 24 hours of the attacks reflected the confidence in the industry.
The WTTC said the estimates are based on in-depth analysis of other major incidents, both natural, such as hurricanes, and terrorist related.
Report by Steve Jones
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