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Free venues 'get visitor boost' | Free venues 'get visitor boost' |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Free tourist attractions have enjoyed a boost in visitor numbers during the recession, trade figures suggest. | Free tourist attractions have enjoyed a boost in visitor numbers during the recession, trade figures suggest. |
The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (Alva) said its members had 10.9% more visitors overall last year. | The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (Alva) said its members had 10.9% more visitors overall last year. |
There were rises at free venues such as the National Gallery (up 9% with 4.78m visitors) and the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich (up 15% to 2.37m). | There were rises at free venues such as the National Gallery (up 9% with 4.78m visitors) and the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich (up 15% to 2.37m). |
Alva said the increases came as people sought good value days out during the economic downturn. | Alva said the increases came as people sought good value days out during the economic downturn. |
Most popular was the British Museum in London with 5.57 million visitors, despite having 6.1% fewer visits in 2009. | Most popular was the British Museum in London with 5.57 million visitors, despite having 6.1% fewer visits in 2009. |
It was followed by the National Gallery and the Tate Modern (4.75 million). | |
TOP UK VISITOR ATTRACTIONS 1. British Museum 5.57m (-6.1%)2. National Gallery 4.78m (+9%)3. Tate Modern 4.75m (-2%)4. Natural History Museum 4.11m (+9.8%)5. Science Museum 2.79m (+3%)6. Tower of London 2.39m (+11%)7. National Maritime Museum 2.37m (+15%)8. Victoria and Albert Museum 2.27m (+10%)9. National Portrait Gallery 1.96m (+6.4%)10. St Paul's Cathedral 1.82m (+8%) Visitor numbers in 2009 (change on previous year in brackets). Source: Association of Leading Visitor Attractions | TOP UK VISITOR ATTRACTIONS 1. British Museum 5.57m (-6.1%)2. National Gallery 4.78m (+9%)3. Tate Modern 4.75m (-2%)4. Natural History Museum 4.11m (+9.8%)5. Science Museum 2.79m (+3%)6. Tower of London 2.39m (+11%)7. National Maritime Museum 2.37m (+15%)8. Victoria and Albert Museum 2.27m (+10%)9. National Portrait Gallery 1.96m (+6.4%)10. St Paul's Cathedral 1.82m (+8%) Visitor numbers in 2009 (change on previous year in brackets). Source: Association of Leading Visitor Attractions |
However, Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire - which does charge for entry - had one of the biggest increases in visitors, with a 43.6% rise to 537,120. | However, Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire - which does charge for entry - had one of the biggest increases in visitors, with a 43.6% rise to 537,120. |
Avla said overseas visitors attracted by the weak pound and British tourists electing to stay within the UK contributed to the overall increase. | Avla said overseas visitors attracted by the weak pound and British tourists electing to stay within the UK contributed to the overall increase. |
The association is made up of the country's leading museums, galleries, heritage sites, cathedrals, gardens, zoos and leisure parks. | The association is made up of the country's leading museums, galleries, heritage sites, cathedrals, gardens, zoos and leisure parks. |
A poll of Alva members showed 82% were optimistic about the immediate future, compared with 60% last year. | A poll of Alva members showed 82% were optimistic about the immediate future, compared with 60% last year. |
Some 35% said there should be more incentives to get people to visit or stay in the UK, rather than taxing tourists. | Some 35% said there should be more incentives to get people to visit or stay in the UK, rather than taxing tourists. |
They said they would also like to see a reduction in VAT on admission tickets, and more government funding for VisitBritain to help the tourism body promote the UK abroad. | They said they would also like to see a reduction in VAT on admission tickets, and more government funding for VisitBritain to help the tourism body promote the UK abroad. |
Alva director Robin Broke said: "The tourism industry played a vital role in Britain's economy last year, with leading attractions working hard to maintain visitor figures and revenue in a challenging fiscal environment. | Alva director Robin Broke said: "The tourism industry played a vital role in Britain's economy last year, with leading attractions working hard to maintain visitor figures and revenue in a challenging fiscal environment. |
"As the political parties prepare for the general election, they should consider how best to help the industry maximise the revenue it can generate and the additional jobs it can create." | "As the political parties prepare for the general election, they should consider how best to help the industry maximise the revenue it can generate and the additional jobs it can create." |
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