Tourism Is Booming In Bristol
|
|
ETN News: Bristol is making strides to raise its profile as a European-class travel destination.
Figures recently released today by Destination Bristol show that for the first time, the value of tourism to Bristol’s economy has topped the US$6/8 billion mark.
The figures are based upon a region-wide survey conducted by South West Tourism that showed that visitors to the South West region in 2005 spent nearly US$18 billion with Bristol emerging as one of the region’s tourism hotspots.
The figures are regarded as the most accurate indicator to date, of the health of the region’s tourism economy and the data for Bristol shows that the city’s tourism sector has grown substantially in the last 10 years.
“This is a real milestone for the city because just 15 years ago, a report from the University of the West of England suggested that our tourism economy was worth less than US$300 million,” Destination Bristol managing director John Hallett said. “This spectacular growth reflects the huge investment that has been made by both Bristol City Council and the private sector in the city over this period time and we are certain that we can continue to build on this success.”
One of the most encouraging features of the survey is that spending by overseas visitors who were staying in the city at one of our hotels or with friends and relatives, now exceeds the spending by UK overnight visitors, reflecting Bristol’s growing profile as an international travel destination, and the inevitable impact that Bristol Airport’s growing route network is having.’
The study showed that over 15,000 jobs in Bristol, which is aiming to raise its profile as a European-class travel destination, now depend upon tourism, a figure that puts the city ahead of the national average for the first time.
For her part, Bristol Councilor leader Councillor Helen Holland, who is also joint chair of Destination Bristol, said: “These figures are extremely important to the city, especially for what they mean in terms of employment and regeneration. Over 8 percent of jobs in Bristol now depend upon tourism and the encouraging trends we have seen over the last decade have really helped boost investment in the city. One of our highest priorities is to ensure that local people are able to benefit from the employment that comes with the growth in our visitor economy by providing access to training, and helping people develop their skills so that they can progress in their careers.”
Holland added: “Our projections are that the value of tourism will top the billion pound mark by 2010 and we are well on the way to achieving that. Our tourism sector has become much better balanced in recent years with many more people coming to enjoy our music and arts programs and our festival and events.
“With Cabot Circus just over 12 months off completion, we believe that we will see Bristol becoming one of the country’s top shopping destinations from next year as well.”
John Hallett added: “The study has clearly shown just how successful our tourism industry has become. While there are inevitably going to be some periods when we do better then others, and progress is not always smooth, the long term trends are extremely positive. Last year we saw record numbers of overseas visitors coming to Bristol and we are optimistic that this year will be another great year for international travel. While 2007 has initially been more patchy, we are expecting an upturn in business in the summer and the prospects for 2008 look very good indeed.”
Destination Bristol is the destination management partnership for Bristol and South Gloucestershire and leads the marketing of the area as a travel destination.
|
Back to main page
|
|
A Britain of Lakes, Lochs, Loughs And Tarns
As I travel through Britain on many a hike or climb it can be very hard to not come across a body of water in some shape or form. Why even a National Park, the Lake District is named from bodies of wa (12/11/2012)
|
|
Tourism Ministers to debate barriers to travel
Reducing visa constraints, simplifying entry processes and developing policies that improve connectivity across borders are the topics on the agenda for the worlds Tourism Ministers as they meet (31/10/2012)
|
|
|
|
|
Live like James Bond
To celebrate the release of Skyfall we explore Bond’s Britain. The UK is the home of James Bond and his creator, Ian Fleming, so where better to live like the world-famous spy?
(10/10/2012)
|
|
|
|
|
There's more to London than sport, says Boris Becker
Tennis legend Boris Becker urges Games spectators to make the most of their visit to London, regretting the many times that he played tennis over the years without ever getting chance to properly expl (12/08/2012)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sports tours and museums in London
Football, cricket, rugby, golf: name a sport and there\'s a good chance we Brits invented it, wrote the rules or are just plain obsessed by it. And if playing or watching your favourites isn\'t enough (09/07/2012)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shakespeare: staging the world
During the summer of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games the British Museum is presenting a major exhibition on the world and works of William Shakespeare, supported by BP
(22/04/2012)
|
|
Coasteering and Cliff-diving in Wales
I am coasteering along the Pembrokeshire coastline of West Wales, getting a taste of the country’s wild side. Along with my group of travel partners, our wits and courage are put to the test.
(18/03/2012)
|
|
Hajj: Journey to the heart of Islam
The final exhibition in the British Museum’s series on spiritual journeys. This is the first ever major exhibition dedicated to the Hajj; the pilgrimage to Mecca which is central to the Muslim (17/02/2012)
|
|
|
|