What Percentage of the UK Economy Is Tourism?

By Alice Nichols

Tourism is a significant industry in the UK, contributing to the country’s economy in various ways. It brings in foreign exchange earnings, creates jobs and generates income for local businesses. In this article, we will explore the percentage of the UK economy that is attributed to tourism.

What is Tourism?

Tourism refers to any activity that involves people traveling to places outside their usual environment for leisure, business or other purposes. It includes domestic tourism (travel within one’s country) and international tourism (travel outside one’s country).

The Importance of Tourism

The tourism industry plays a vital role in the UK economy. According to statistics from Visit Britain, the national tourism agency for Britain, tourism is the third-largest employer in the country, providing jobs for over 3 million people.

Direct Contribution

In terms of direct contribution, tourism accounted for 1.7% of GDP in 2019 which translated into £32.6 billion. This figure includes all spending by tourists on accommodation, food and drink services, transportation, and attractions.

Indirect Contribution

The indirect contribution of tourism includes all economic activity that results from tourist spending such as supply chain purchases by businesses serving tourists. According to Visit Britain, this indirect contribution accounts for an additional 1.1% of GDP which translates into £21 billion.

Total Contribution

When you add up both direct and indirect contributions together you get a total contribution from tourism of £53.3 billion or approximately 2.8% of UK GDP as per figures from 2019.

Tourism Trends

Tourism trends have been changing over recent years with more emphasis on sustainable travel options both domestically and internationally. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a significant impact on the travel industry with restrictions on international travel leading to an increase in domestic tourism in the UK.

Conclusion

In conclusion, tourism is a crucial industry for the UK economy. According to statistics from Visit Britain, it contributes approximately 2.8% of GDP or £53.3 billion in total. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how it responds to changing consumer trends and global events.