Report reveals ‘disappointing’ drop in spending by overseas visitors to UK
The number of overseas visitors to the UK dropped in 2018, despite favourable exchange rates and record-breaking temperatures.
The latest Travel Trends report by the Office of National Statistics shows there were a total of 37.9 million visits made by overseas residents to the UK in 2018, 3% down on 2017.
The amount of money spent by overseas visitors also fell by 7% to £22.9bn.
Meanwhile, UK residents made 71.7 million visits overseas, down 1% on the previous year, although spending rose by 1% to £45.4bn.
Commenting on the new figures, Ian Bell, head of travel and tourism at risk management company RSM, said:
"It’s really disappointing to see a drop in the number of visitors coming to the UK – and most worrying for hoteliers, restaurateurs and retailers is the decline in spending.
"The UK benefitted from a post-Olympic boom in the years after 2012, so it would be really disappointing if this were to mark the start of a downward trend in the appeal of the UK as a tourist destination.
"The UK tourist industry will have to work hard to fight for its share of the tourist market but there are clouds on the horizon. Following Edinburgh’s lead, a number of local authorities appear to be pushing for the introduction of local tourist taxes. If and when these are introduced, they could take the shine off a number of popular destinations.
"Given last year’s heatwave and the pound’s weakness, it’s probably less surprising that there was a drop in the numbers of UK residents travelling overseas. This year we could well see a further decline as a result of Brexit uncertainty, but the staycationers could provide a welcome boost for the UK economy."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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