UKinbound‘s latest Business Barometer points to a stable summer for the UK’s inbound tourism sector.
The survey found 33% of businesses expect bookings, visitor numbers or customer orders between July and September to match last year’s levels. A further 29% expect them to increase.
Revenue expectations were similarly positive. Around 34% expect yields to remain steady, while 32% forecast growth.
Confidence has also improved. Half of respondents said they were confident about bookings, visitor revenue and customer orders over the next 12 months, up from 39% in April.
Businesses cited strong forward bookings, rising group travel demand and enquiries for 2027 as reasons for optimism.
The findings could also benefit the meetings and events sector, as higher international visitor numbers and group travel demand may support business events across the UK.
The USA remains a mixed market. Some businesses reported growth, while others identified it as their biggest source of decline.
Joss Croft OBE, ceo of UKinbound, commented: “The summer outlook is encouraging, with many businesses reporting stable demand and growing confidence for the year ahead. That resilience is particularly welcome given the economic and geopolitical uncertainty facing many of our key international markets.
“With a new Prime Minister and Cabinet expected to be in place imminently, there is a real opportunity to put the visitor economy at the heart of the Government’s growth agenda.
“Inbound tourism is one of the UK’s largest export industries, generating billions in export earnings and supporting jobs and businesses in every nation and region of the country. The sector has the potential to deliver even more growth, investment and opportunity, but success will require a clear focus on international competitiveness.”
To read the full report: visit here