see all jobs
ONS reports fall in inbound visitor numbers
New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have posted a 5 per cent decline in the number of inbound visitors to the UK between December 2010 and February 2011.
The latest statistics - derived from the International Passenger Survey - confirmed the drop in overseas residents travelling to the UK, compared with September-November 2010. In the year to February 2011, visitor numbers from North America decreased by 6 per cent to 3.3 million, although overall business visits increased by 4 per cent for the period.
Meanwhile, the three months to February 2011 also saw a 6 per cent drop in the number of UK residents travelling abroad, compared with the previous quarter. Mike Saul, head of hospitality and leisure at Barclays Corporate, said: "Travel businesses we speak to report a general trend of shorter summer holidays and a move back from mid-haul destinations such as Egypt to short-haul destinations including Italy and Spain.
"However, there are early indications of a substantial boost to forward bookings for winter 2011-12, which is a more positive measure of confidence."
More News
- News by sector (all)
- All news
- Fitness
- Personal trainer
- Sport
- Spa
- Swimming
- Hospitality
- Entertainment & Gaming
- Commercial Leisure
- Property
- Architecture
- Design
- Tourism
- Travel
- Attractions
- Theme & Water Parks
- Arts & Culture
- Heritage & Museums
- Parks & Countryside
- Sales & Marketing
- Public Sector
- Training
- People
- Executive
- Apprenticeships
- Suppliers