Tourism in the United Kingdom
Tourism in the United Kingdom is a major industry and contributor to the U.K. economy, which is the world's 10th biggest tourist destination, with over 40.1 million visiting in 2019, contributing a total of £234 billion to the GDP.[1][2]
£23.1 billion was spent in the UK by foreign tourists in 2017. VisitBritain data shows that the USA remains the most valuable inbound market, with American visitors spending £2.1 billion in 2010.[3] Nevertheless, the number of travellers originating from Europe is much larger than those travelling from North America: 21.5 million compared to 3.5 million American/Canadian visitors.[4] After 9-year rise, as of 2019, United Kingdom attracting 40.86 million international tourists (Even before COVID-19 pandemic began (Between March 2020 and March 2022), which was more than two times U.K.'s total population.[5]
The country's principal tourist destinations are London, Edinburgh, Oxford, Cambridge, York, and Canterbury. The United Kingdom hosts a total of 33 World Heritage sites, the 8th most in the world.[6] The Lonely Planet travel guide voted England number 2, after Bhutan, as one of the best countries to visit in 2020.[7] Some of the most popular cities include London, Edinburgh and Manchester and notable attractions include the Palace of Westminster, the London Eye and Edinburgh Castle.
Politics[edit]
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Arts, Heritage and Tourism is the minister with responsibility over tourism in the UK.[27]
Domestic tourism[edit]
Domestic tourism remains the biggest component of tourist spending in the UK, with 2008 expenditures totalling £21.9 billion, according to VisitBritain.[28] The national statistical agency also estimates that there were 126 million trips made in 2009.[28] The busiest period for domestic travel in the UK is during bank holidays and the summer months, with August being the busiest.
Overseas visits to the UK by month
Purpose of overseas visits to the UK
UK residents' oversea visits
Official statistics for the final quarter of 2019 have yet to been published, although in 2018 a total of 37.9 million people visited the UK from overseas and cumulatively spent £22.8 billion, making the average spend per visit £601.[29] Compared to 2017, there were 5.3% and 2.3% respective decreases in international visitors and spending.[29] This was the first time since 2009-10 that the number of visitors has dropped.[29] This has been attributed to the emergence of other countries, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, as tourist destinations.[30]
Events, festivals and exhibitions[edit]
The United Kingdom plays host to a variety of events that attract both international and domestic tourists.[45] Some of the United Kingdom's most famous festivals include Notting Hill Carnival, Glastonbury and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.[46] These festivals not only hold cultural significance but are also a major economic component of the United Kingdom's tourist industry, with Glastonbury alone contributing £100 million to the economy annually.[47] The beauty, real estate and arms industries are some of the many industries that hold trade shows and exhibitions year-round throughout the United Kingdom, with the majority being held in London or Birmingham. VisitBritain has estimated in 2015 there were 65 million day visits centred around events, festivals and exhibitions and in total, they accounted for 5% of all tourist day visits and a net spend of £3.6 billion.[48]
For more information on tourism in the United Kingdom please see the articles for the constituent parts of the UK: