UK tourism set for growth

UK tourism will witness continued growth in 2008, it has been claimed, with B&Bs, self-catering and hotel accommodation all likely to see increases in trade.

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the impact of the global credit crunch will only "moderately" affect the industry.

A study carried out by the organisation and Oxford Economics showed that international toruism arrivals in 2007 were close to the 900 million mark, up six per cent on 2006 figures.

Indeed, figures from the Office for National Statistics showed seasonally adjusted number of visits to the UK by overseas residents between September and November increasing by five per cent when compared with the previous three months

Commenting on the figures, Sian Brenchley, a senior press officer with Holiday Which? said: "The figures only confirm what we have seen over the past year - that emerging markets are ever more important for the future growth of Britain's £85 billion visitor economy."

She added that 2008 would bring a "host of opportunities to grow the inbound visitor market across Britain" including Liverpool's European Capital of Culture status, the opening of Terminal 5 at Heathrow airport and showcasing London and Britain as host city and nation of the next Olympic and Paralympic Games at the closing ceremony of the 2008 Games in Beijing.

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