PRESS RELEASES
UKinbound Membership and Benefits Continue to Grow.
12/08/2010
Launching its new Membership card scheme making it easier for members to take advantage of the special offers and unique business benefits available from UKinbound, Mary Rance, Chief Executive said:
...
UKinbound Membership and Benefits Continue to Grow.
12/08/2010
Launching its new Membership card scheme making it easier for members to take advantage of the special offers and unique business benefits available from UKinbound, Mary Rance, Chief Executive said:
“ Membership of UKinbound has now reached its highest level for five years and the associated benefits continue to grow. Whilst undoubtedly the most important benefits are the business to business networking, commercial opportunities and political representation, UKinbound also looks to offer direct savings for members on professional services and a whole range of member to member offers.”
Sponsored by First Rate Exchange, the increasing number of members and participants offering discounted products and services, led to the development of an easier way for the members and participating venues to control and identify those who were eligible to benefit.
Cllr John Fahy, Greenwich Council's Cabinet Member for Culture and Olympics, said: "We are pleased to become a member of UK Inbound. Joining will allow us to engage with a wide range of tour operators, travel companies, venue operators and travel media to help promote Greenwich to an international audience, up to and beyond 2012."
First Rate Exchanges’ Business Development Manager, Wayne Maraj was happy to present Cllr John Fahy with his new card, welcoming Greenwich Tourism, the latest new member of UKinbound under the watchful gaze of Lord Nelson.
Notes to Editors
• UKinbound is the only trade association that represents the UK’s inbound tourism industry including accommodation providers, inbound tour operators, destination marketing, attractions, tourism service providers and ground handlers. The primary aim of UKinbound is to help members manage successful, profitable businesses that are part of a vibrant and sustainable inbound tourism industry. We achieve this by focusing on advocacy, professionalism and networking.
• Inbound tourism is the UK’s third largest export industry.
• The 29.7 million overseas visitors who came in 2009 spent £16.5 billion in the UK. These figures represent a 6.3% decline in volume and 1% (nominal) increase in value compared with 2008. In 2009 the UK ranked seventh in the international tourism earnings league (compared with sixth in2007) behind the USA, Spain, France, Italy, China and Germany according to UNWTO figures
For more information visit www.ukinbound.org or contact Ian Dulson on 07766 916437 or iandulson@ukinbound.org
Prime Minister's Recognition of Inbound Tourism
12/08/2010
UKinbound welcomes Prime Minister’s recognition of inbound tourism’s role in rebalancing the UK economy.
Responding to the Prime Minister’s speech in Hyde Park when Mr Cameron acknowledged i...
Prime Minister's Recognition of Inbound Tourism
12/08/2010
UKinbound welcomes Prime Minister’s recognition of inbound tourism’s role in rebalancing the UK economy.
Responding to the Prime Minister’s speech in Hyde Park when Mr Cameron acknowledged inbound tourism as “a great export earner helping to deliver the rebalancing of our national economy”
Mary Rance, Chief Executive, UKinbound, said:
“ We are delighted to hear the Prime Minister recognise the value of inbound tourism to the UK economy and with his pledge to remove some of the barriers to growth in international visitor numbers.
With the UK only having 3.5 per cent of the world market for international tourism, as the Prime Minister acknowledged, just raising this by half a percent would bring an additional £2.7 billion to our economy and 50,000 jobs.
But we cannot do this without Government intervention to remove the barriers to growth or without government help to restore the UK as a competitive destination and a destination of choice. Improving the local delivery of visa services in key markets such as China and India, as promised by the Prime Minister, is a good first step, now we need real engagement on the level of aviation taxation which has caused a downward spiral in visitor numbers to the UK since 2007.
As the Prime Minster said “we have not been working hard enough to sell our country abroad” and this is where the industry needs to work in partnership with Visit Britain and destinations to grow awareness in the global marketplace and to grow incremental business to the UK.
We look forward to working with Government to ensure a new era of regeneration in inbound tourism.”
ends
Notes to Editors
• UKinbound is the only trade association that represents the UK’s inbound tourism industry including accommodation providers, inbound tour operators, destination marketing, attractions, tourism service providers and ground handlers. The primary aim of UKinbound is to help members manage successful, profitable businesses that are part of a vibrant and sustainable inbound tourism industry. We achieve this by focusing on advocacy, professionalism and networking.
• Inbound tourism is the UK’s third largest export industry.
• The 29.7 million overseas visitors who came in 2009 spent £16.5 billion in the UK. These figures represent a 6.3% decline in volume and 1% (nominal) increase in value compared with 2008. In 2009 the UK ranked seventh in the international tourism earnings league (compared with sixth in2007) behind the USA, Spain, France, Italy, China and Germany according to UNWTO figures
For more information visit www.ukinbound.org or contact Mary Rance on 07970054391 or maryrance@ukinbound.org
UKINBOUND SLAMS VISITOR GROWTH FORECASTS
23/07/2010
Responding to the findings of an independent report commissioned by Visit Britain suggesting that tourism revenue would grow by more than 60% by 2020, UKinbound has challenged this rosy image of the f...
UKINBOUND SLAMS VISITOR GROWTH FORECASTS
23/07/2010
Responding to the findings of an independent report commissioned by Visit Britain suggesting that tourism revenue would grow by more than 60% by 2020, UKinbound has challenged this rosy image of the future which ignores the real threats which are currently causing decline not growth in visitor numbers.
Mary Rance, Chief Executive UKinbound said:
“We do not dispute the real potential for substantial growth in inbound tourism but this potential will pale into insignificance if there are no plans to increase capacity and to address urgently the real barriers to growth.
With no plans to increase capacity at Heathrow or any other London airport and in the absence of a strategy to restore the competitiveness of the UK as a destination by addressing the barriers to growth, it is fantasy to suggest that such huge growth is attainable.”
Current trends and feedback fly in the face of this optimism showing visitor numbers declining year on year since 2007 when Air Passenger Duty was significantly increased to an actual reduction of 8% in visitor numbers over this period. In more recent times when a weak pound should have seen greater increase in visitors we are still experiencing a 3% decline so far in 2010. This current downward trend in visitor numbers has occurred with the current levels of APD and VAT, both of which are due to rise this year, which will result in a greater reduction in visitors to the UK.
Coupled with the fact that long haul visitors are prevented or deterred from travelling to the UK by our strict but overly complicated visa process and with Heathrow airport currently operating at 99% capacity, it is difficult to see how such a big increase in tourism revenue can be achieved.
What we need is honest engagement with Government to free us from the restraints that are restricting the reversal of this decline, knowing there will also be a decline in visitors to the UK in 2012 based on the experience of other Olympic host nations. We must work constructively to ensure that the long term benefits and the tourism legacy are a reality delivering a new era of regeneration in inbound tourism.
Ends
Notes to Editors
• UKinbound is the only trade association that represents the UK’s inbound tourism industry including accommodation providers, inbound tour operators, destination marketing, attractions, tourism service providers and ground handlers. The primary aim of UKinbound is to help members manage successful, profitable businesses that are part of a vibrant and sustainable inbound tourism industry. We achieve this by focusing on advocacy, professionalism and networking.
• Inbound tourism is the UK’s third largest export industry.
• The 29.7 million overseas visitors who came in 2009 spent £16.5 billion in the UK. These figures represent a 6.3% decline in volume and 1% (nominal) increase in value compared with 2008. In 2009 the UK ranked seventh in the international tourism earnings league (compared with sixth in2007) behind the USA, Spain, France, Italy, China and Germany according to UNWTO figures
For more information visit www.ukinbound.org or contact Ian Dulson on 07766 916437 or iandulson@ukinbound.org
“UKinbound applauds chancellor’s reform of APD”
23/06/2010
UKinbound has applauded the Chancellor’s statement in the emergency Budget that he will review APD and consult the industry as the Government is still to map out its plans for this tax the single bi...
“UKinbound applauds chancellor’s reform of APD”
23/06/2010
UKinbound has applauded the Chancellor’s statement in the emergency Budget that he will review APD and consult the industry as the Government is still to map out its plans for this tax the single biggest barrier to growth in inbound tourism.
The delay to October to announce the findings on the unfair Air Passenger Duty suggests that it will still increase in November as the previous Government had planned, and this will remain the largest barrier to entry we face until well into 2011. Combined with an increase in VAT to 20% this will damage our competitiveness abroad and may reduce visitor spending.
Mary Rance, Chief Executive UKinbound said
“Recognising the pressure on government to tackle the UK budget deficit as its first priority, tourism is in a unique position to be able to boost our economy. Now is the time to acknowledge that inbound tourism is the UK’s third largest export industry generating over £19bn in export earnings for the UK economy. Long term growth is achievable but will depend on maintaining investment in promotion of the UK as a destination and removing the regulatory barriers to growth.”
Excessive entry charges, unique to the UK, such as Air Passenger Duty (APD), have already seen a decline of visitor numbers of nearly 10% in 2009 since when APD was first doubled. Visitor numbers have declined year on year since 2007 following 6 years of continuous growth and can expect to continue seeing a decline as consumers opt for mainland Europe to avoid these charges and increased visa charges as well.
Overall, the budget naturally looks to solve our deficit, but does not recognize that a potentially faster recovery could be created by increasing revenue from our export tourism business.
BUSINESS BAROMETER – January – March 2010
03/06/2010
Visitor / Occupancy Numbers – 1st Quarter 2010 in comparison with 1st Quarter 2009 saw 50% of companies that responded reporting an increase with 34% of companies seeing a decline.
The incr...
BUSINESS BAROMETER – January – March 2010
03/06/2010
Visitor / Occupancy Numbers – 1st Quarter 2010 in comparison with 1st Quarter 2009 saw 50% of companies that responded reporting an increase with 34% of companies seeing a decline.
The increases were between 2 and 70% where as the declines were between 5 and 12% demonstrating how our diverse membership has experienced a very varied start to the year.
Forward Bookings –For the 1st Quarter 2010 in comparison with 1st Quarter 2009, 42% of Companies that responded saw an increase with a further 42% seeing no change at all. So forward bookings are looking quite stable but obviously do not take in to account more last minute impulse visitors.
Sales Figures –For the 1st Quarter 2010 in comparison with 1st Quarter 2009, sales figures seemed to have held their own a little better then visitor numbers did over the same period. Whilst 50% of respondents saw an increase in their sales, only 16% of respondents saw a drop (of between 5 – 10%). So the 34% of companies seeing a drop in visitor numbers in Q1 equated to only 16% of companies seeing a drop in sales.
UKinbound calls on new Government to galvanise tourism industry and go for growth
12/05/2010
“UKinbound calls on new Government to galvanise tourism industry and go for growth”
Welcoming the announcement of the new coalition Government, UKinbound has urged the new Government to address...
UKinbound calls on new Government to galvanise tourism industry and go for growth
12/05/2010
“UKinbound calls on new Government to galvanise tourism industry and go for growth”
Welcoming the announcement of the new coalition Government, UKinbound has urged the new Government to address the real contribution that tourism can make to economic recovery. The UK Tourism industry in 2009 accounted for 8.9% of the country’s GDP and employs over 2.6 million people both directly and indirectly1. The UK currently has a very favourable exchange rate for overseas visitors and with the Olympic and Paralympic games coming in 2012 now is the time to capitalise on this increased interest that exists for our Tourism industry and boost our economy.
Mary Rance, Chief Executive UKinbound said
“Recognising the pressure on government to tackle the UK budget deficit as its first priority, tourism is in a unique position to be able to boost our economy. Now is the time to acknowledge that inbound tourism is the UK’s third largest export industry generating over £19bn in export earnings for the UK economy. Long term growth is achievable but will depend on maintaining investment in promotion of the UK as a destination and removing the regulatory barriers to growth.”
Excessive entry charges, unique to the UK, such as Air Passenger Duty (APD), have already seen a decline of visitor numbers of just less than10% in 2009 compared with 2007 when APD was first doubled. Visitor numbers have declined year on year since 2007 following 6 years of continuous growth and can expect to continue seeing a decline as consumers opt for mainland Europe to avoid these charges and increased visa charges as well.
For each family that is deterred from visiting the UK, the economy forgoes £4,000 in revenue. The decrease in visitors as a result of the higher rate of APD, together with increased visa charges, has actually taken over £1.2 billion in 2009 out of our economy for a return of only about £600 million from APD. These figures are based on averages and may be considerably worse considering the biggest decline in numbers we are seeing are from the long haul, most penalised APD destinations, and these account for some of the highest spending visitors.
The current policy is reducing the country’s overall tax return at the same time as reducing our GDP and so does not appear to make viable economic sense or give a very warm welcome to the world. We look forward to this Government actioning its pledges to review and amend APD to a, per plane rather than per passenger tax and hope that their solution can remove this barrier to UK entry.
ENDS
For more information visit contact Ian Dulson on 0207 395 7505 or iandulson@ukinbound.org
