Spending by overseas visitors drops
Overseas visitors to Britain rose by three per cent to 7.5 million in the first quarter of the year.
But spending dropped by one per cent to £3.5 billion compared to the January-March period in 2004, according to government figures released today.
Incoming visitor numbers were up by 12% to 28.4 million in the year to March 2005, with increases from western Europe (up 11% to 18.4 million), North America (up 5% to 4.3 million) and the rest of the world (up 21% to 5.6 million).
Meanwhile, the number of trips abroad by UK residents in the first quarter of 2005 declined by one per cent to 16.2 million. Visits abroad in the 12 months ending March 2005 were up by five per cent to 64.7 million. Visits to western Europe rose by one per cent to 49.6 million, to North America by 14% to 4.9 million and to other parts of the world by 24% to 10.2 million, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The figures emerged just days before the next TravelMole Fast Conference which is to debate the current state of domestic tourism.
Operators, agents, suppliers and industry professionals will gather for the event on Tuesday May 10 in London.
Experts lined up to speak on the subject are:
* Graeme Barnett, event director of WTM and British Travel Trade Fair
* Thomas Cook head of trade relations, Anna Bentley;
* England marketing director for VisitBritain, Michael Bedingfield;
* East Midland Tourism chief executive Richard Dickinson and
* British Holiday and Home Parks Association director general, Ros Pritchard.
Moderating the event is TravelMole’s columnist and ex-Travel Weekly editor, Jeremy Skidmore.
The event takes place at the New Connaught Rooms, Great Queen Street, London, from 3pm – 5pm on May 10, and is followed by drinks and a chance to network.
For details and to register go to www.travelmole.com/fastconferences or call 020 7691 3292.
The price is £99 for delegates, reduced to £59 for tour operators and agents, and £49 for students.
Phil Davies
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