UKinbound, the association representing the interests of the UK’s inbound tourism sector, says its latest Business Barometer results indicate growth remains steady, although confidence continues to be low for members.
The Business Barometer, produced in collaboration with Qa Research, is based on members’ feedback regarding their business performance in May/June 2018.
Higher or the same bookings/visitor numbers compared to the same period last year were flagged by 72% of respondents. For those that indicated higher bookings, orders had increased by an average of 27%. In addition, 82% had seen yield stay roughly the same or increase compared to 2017 figures.
Business confidence regarding the impending 12 months remained low at 47%, although that figure is slightly up on March/April figures, but well down on the September/October 2017 60% mark.
UKinbound chief executive officer Deirdre Wells, OBE, comments: “It’s unfortunate but not surprising that confidence in our industry remains low. The implications of BREXIT and resulting uncertainty continues to cause challenges for our members.
“It is positive, however, to see that yield, alongside bookings/visitor numbers/customer orders, is holding and growing, but the industry needs answers from government about the UK’s relationship with the EU post-Brexit in order to safeguard the long-term growth and success of the UK’s inbound tourism industry.”
