Lack of visitors to the UK has cost the economy dearly
The World Travel & Tourism Council’s annual Economic Impact Report estimates the UK’s travel and tourism GDP fell from £238 billion in 2019, before the pandemic struck, to just £90 billion 12 months later – a 62% fall.
The WTTC estimates the impact has been the loss of 307,000 jobs but warned: “The true picture could be significantly worse” if not for government support, furlough and job protection schemes.
It estimates the number of those employed in the UK travel and tourism sector tumbled from 4.27 million in 2019 to 3.96 million in 2020 – a fall of 7.2%.
“Across all sectors they are estimated to be currently protecting more than 11 million jobs, hiding the true extent of the losses, as well as the devastating social impact they could bring,” it said.
The report also revealed domestic visitor spending declined by 63% due to nationwide lockdowns. International spending fared even worse, with a fall of almost 72%.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and chief executive, said the loss of more than…
