Domestic tourism makes a record-breaking start to the year
Domestic tourism figures hit a record-breaking high in the first quarter of the year, according to a new report from VisitEngland.
Results from the Great Britain Tourism Survey show that 28.7 million trips were recorded in England between January and April. This is an 18% increase year-on-year and represents the highest number of trips recorded in the period since the survey began in 2006.
Further good news reveals that spending was 18% up on 2014, to almost £5b. The number of holidays taken in the first four months also beat records, being the highest rise since 2012, at 7%.
Meanwhile, April saw the number of domestic overnight trips rise for the fourth consecutive month, with a 10% increase to nine million trips and a 5% lift in spending to £1.5b.
The fillip reflects the above average weather compared with the flooding of last year as well as a number of high-profile celebrations, such as the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta and the first-ever Tour de Yorkshire. Some nine out of 10 businesses surveyed are confident about the summer period, buoyed by events such as Cowes Week, Tour of Britain and the Rugby World Cup in September.
"The tourism industry's confidence demonstrates the resilience of businesses that bounced back after the severe weather conditions that impacted destinations at the beginning of last year," said chief executive James Beresford. "With the plethora of sporting, cultural and foodie events taking place across the country this summer we hope this strong performance will continue to boost the industry."
VisitEngland to become stand-alone body for English tourism >>
VisitEngland hails tourism opportunities of Rugby World Cup 2015 >>
Latest video from The Caterer
