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UK tourist industry eyes emerging markets | UK tourist industry eyes emerging markets |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The number of tourists visiting the UK from emerging nations such as Brazil, Russia, India and China is set to rise sharply, a report by VisitBritain says. | |
It predicted that by 2014, visitor numbers from China alone would increase by almost 100,000 - a 90% jump. | It predicted that by 2014, visitor numbers from China alone would increase by almost 100,000 - a 90% jump. |
This was partly due to the popularity of Premier League football in China, it added. | This was partly due to the popularity of Premier League football in China, it added. |
However, the bulk of people visiting the UK will still come from traditional European and North American markets. | However, the bulk of people visiting the UK will still come from traditional European and North American markets. |
The report also looked at reasons why tourists chose the UK as a holiday destination. This included relaxing "well-being" breaks, the opportunity to visit a range of galleries and museums, and sampling traditional British pubs. | The report also looked at reasons why tourists chose the UK as a holiday destination. This included relaxing "well-being" breaks, the opportunity to visit a range of galleries and museums, and sampling traditional British pubs. |
It said travellers had moved away from wanting a service towards wanting an "experience", saying they would choose their holiday on the basis of how real or authentic it felt. | It said travellers had moved away from wanting a service towards wanting an "experience", saying they would choose their holiday on the basis of how real or authentic it felt. |
Olympic boost | Olympic boost |
The numbers of visitors from emerging nations remains small. Between Brazil, Russia, India and China there were 650,000 visitors to the UK last year - this compares with 3.8 million from France alone. | |
Between them, France, the Irish Republic, the US, Germany and Spain are expected to send an extra 3.3 million new visitors by 2014. | |
However, tourist chiefs are looking to new markets after 2009 saw 1.2 million fewer American visitors than in the record year of 2000. | However, tourist chiefs are looking to new markets after 2009 saw 1.2 million fewer American visitors than in the record year of 2000. |
And in the first seven months of this year, tourist numbers from North America were down by 6% on the same period a year ago. | And in the first seven months of this year, tourist numbers from North America were down by 6% on the same period a year ago. |
The relative weakness of the dollar against the pound, and the sluggish recovery of the US economy, are believed to be factors in the falling numbers. | The relative weakness of the dollar against the pound, and the sluggish recovery of the US economy, are believed to be factors in the falling numbers. |
VisitBritain forecasts the number of visitors from India will grow by 29% by 2014, with more than 100,000 extra visits. Russian tourist numbers are predicted to rise by 24% with Brazilian visitors set to increase by 32%. | VisitBritain forecasts the number of visitors from India will grow by 29% by 2014, with more than 100,000 extra visits. Russian tourist numbers are predicted to rise by 24% with Brazilian visitors set to increase by 32%. |
The chief executive of VisitBritain, Sandie Dawe, said the 2012 Olympics and Paralympic games offered a "once in a lifetime boost" to the tourist industry. | The chief executive of VisitBritain, Sandie Dawe, said the 2012 Olympics and Paralympic games offered a "once in a lifetime boost" to the tourist industry. |
She added: "The challenge for Britain is that competition is getting tougher every year and we are not immune [but]... I am confident that we will come through the challenges ahead." |
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