15/03/2010 - Tourists spending to double by 2020
The amount spent by tourists in the UK is likely to be almost double the present figures by 2020, according to a latest report.
VisitBritain said that oversea visitor spending, which is currently valued at around £16 billion, could surge to £31 billion in the next 10 years.
It also estimated that tourism spending in the UK by domestic residents would grow at a slower pace to £113 billion in 2020 from the current £72 billion a year.
According to the report compiled by Deloitte and Oxford Economics, tourism is worth £115 billion to the economy and has 2.6 million people working for the sector.
The number of jobs created by the tourism sector is set to increase by 10,000 in 2010, meaning one in every 12 employed people in the UK work for the sector.
The report also said that the tourism industry is set to offer 250,000 more jobs by 2020.
VisitBritain chairman Christopher Rodrigues said: "We now have the catalyst of being host to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, to revitalise the welcome we offer the world, and I hope this research will underline what an historic opportunity we all have to work for."
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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