‘Worrying’ drop in leisure visitors to Britain
The number of leisure passengers coming to Britain has dropped for the second consecutive month, going against predictions of a post-Brexit surge in visitors.
October figures from the British Hospitality Association Travel Monitor showed there were 450,000 fewer holiday passengers in the year to date compared with the same period in 2015.
The previous month’s Travel Monitor also showed a 400,000 drop.
Industry commentators had expected a jump in overseas visitors following Britain’s decision to leave the EU, when the pound significantly weakened against other currencies.
But holiday inbound travel to the UK was down 5.3% in October, and down 3.7% year to ‘date.
By contrast, outbound holiday travel was up 5.2% in October, and 5.4% year to date.
Total inbound travel, which also includes business travel and those visiting friends and family, declined 5.1% year on year, but the BHA said figures were skewed by the Rugby World Cup being held in 2015.
But, looking at the wider picture, over the past three months inbound travel has dropped by 0.7% versus the same period 12 Ԭmonths ago, but has grown 1.7% year to date.
In a further blow to the incoming tourism industry, overseas residents’ spend in the UK was down 8.3% in October, and is down 1.2% year to date.
Meanwhile, UK spend overseas was up 17% in October, and 10.7% year to date.
BHA chief executive Ufi Ibrahim said it was a ‘worrying trend’.
"Our analysis has shown that there is increasing pressure on the industry through lower inbound holiday passengers and higher outbound holiday passengers," she said.
"With political and economic uncertainty increasing it is more important than ever to ensure UK tourism can compete.
"The UK continues to have on average twice the tourism VAT rate across Europe. Alongside businesses investing in the apprenticeship levy, the national living wage and rising business rates, this signals concern for businesses in the industry, four out of five of which are SMEs."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026