Evidence of recovery for UK tourism
The number of visitors to the UK during October 2002 was just above figures for October 2000, thanks to increased visitors from Western Europe.
Total visits to the UK in October 2002 were one percent up on the same month in 2000. Visitor numbers from the US were still down 20 percent, but visits from Western Europe were up eight percent, and from the rest of the world, up one percent.
Despite recovering numbers, visitor spend was still down on October 2000 by 13 percent. Comparisons have been made with October 2000 rather than 2001, when visits were affected by the 11 September terrorist attacks.
The British Tourist Authority (BTA) analyses the figures produced by the International Passenger Survey each month. It said it was optimistic that a recovery in UK tourism is being sustained.
BITOA was also optimistic in its analysis of the number of leisure visitors to the UK in October.
BTA will remain an independent body until April 2003, when it will join forces with the English Tourism Council. Until then, BTA says it has plans to boost tourist spend through exploring opportunities in emerging markets like China, Russia and within Asia, and develop it’s internet marketing actvities around the world.
Read our previous stories:
25-Nov-2002 BITOA upbeat about October tourism
01-Nov-2002 BTA and ETC to merge
30-Oct-2002 UK tourism recovery set for 2004
10-Oct-2002 UK August visitor numbers continue summer trend
27-Sept-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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