Number of visits to UK slows

September saw a marked slowdown in the number of people visiting the UK, according to the latest monthly figures from UKinbound, the former British Incoming Tour Operators Association.

While figures for the month were still up overall, the growth was just 1.2%, compared with 3.8% and 6.8% in August and July respectively.

But optimistically for the trade, hotels and restaurants were the only two areas that bucked the trend, with tour operators and tourist attractions hardest hit, said UKinbound.

The main area of growth was in the European short-haul market, buoyed by the strong Euro, it added.

Forward bookings were also slightly down, at -0.8%, for the first time in almost a year.

by Nic Paton

Buy this week's Caterer magazine for more industry news and analysis