UK hotel demand continues to rise amid boost in interest from China

The UK continues to be an attractive tourist destination for holidaymakers around the world, with a vast increase in the number of Chinese tourists looking to travel to the country according to data from Expedia.

Q1 data from Expedia found that trips into the UK increased year on year, with notable growth of more than 10% in Manchester and 15% in Edinburgh. Hotel stays in Glasgow, Leeds and Cardiff meanwhile all increased by 10%. Hotels in Kent, Berkshire, East Anglia and the Lake District and Cumbria all experienced double-digit growth in demand for rooms.

The firm's analysis found a boost in Asian tourism had driven growth, with demand from China rising by 180% year on year. There was also increased demand from Japan, of almost 25%, and Korea, of almost 20%.

Irene Roberts, director of market management, Expedia Group, said: "Our first-quarter data for 2019 points to a really encouraging start to the year for our hotel partners across the UK. Our proposition of providing hotels with the technology and marketing tools to promote themselves to valuable international visitors continues to make a positive impact.

"With the summer months ahead, a period which traditionally is always popular with international travellers visiting the UK, hoteliers should be confident of enjoying some busy times welcoming guests from across the globe."

‘Unprecedented' growth boosts UK hotel investment to £7.4b >>