Easter ‘first real test’ for UK tourism
VisitBritain has described Easter as the “first real test” of whether the London bombings are still having an affect on tourism.
It said the next two weeks will go a long way to determining just what lasting impact the events of July 7 will have.
And the prospects appear mixed, according to figures VisitBritain quoted from BAA and Office of National Statistics (ONS).
“Easter falls three weeks later this year which means more hours of daylight and potentially better weather,” VisitBritain said in a trading update. “Easter will be the first real test in 2006 of whether there is still a post July 7 impact on the inbound holiday market.”
It said ONS figures show that in the final three months of 2005, holiday visits were 12% down on 2004, while business tourism increased 10%.
BAA figures, meanwhile, give “cause for optimism” regarding trends in the number of visitors from Asia and Far East although there remains “continued concern” for prospects for North America.
VisitBritain said there was also hope with exchange rates with US travellers seeing improvements in the strength of the dollar.
Visit London painted a brighter picture, saying attractions in the capital have had an encouraging start to the year with visits rising after a period of decline.
Turning to domestic tourism, VisitBritain predicted 23% of adults are planning a trip over the next two weeks, 60% of whom will stay overnight in England.
Visit Wales and VisitScotland both reported “feel good” factors.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive