VisitEngland has in the present day printed its Annual Survey of Visits to Customer Points of interest for 2022 exhibiting that whereas visits total to points of interest throughout England final yr confirmed restoration, numbers had been nonetheless considerably down on pre-COVID ranges.
The survey reveals that visits to customer points of interest in England elevated by 42% total final yr in comparison with 2021, nonetheless this was nonetheless down greater than a 3rd, 35%, on 2019 (see slide 7 in full report).
The survey, which gathered data from 1,519 English points of interest, additionally reveals the affect of worldwide journey reopening. Abroad visits to England’s points of interest had been up 280% in 2022 in comparison with 2021. Home visits to points of interest final yr in the meantime noticed a rise of 24% on 2021.
London noticed the biggest regional improve in visits to its points of interest, pushed by the return of worldwide guests, with numbers up 141% final yr in comparison with 2021. Different areas in England noticed common development of between 16% and 42% for a similar interval.
Tourism Minister John Whittingdale mentioned:
“England’s prime tourism locations supply one thing for everybody whether or not visiting from residence or overseas. As we proceed to assist the trade’s restoration, this welcome development in customer numbers is promising.
“I encourage everybody to get pleasure from a time out at our must-see points of interest this summer time to assist deliver this essential trade, which helps 1000’s of jobs and companies, again to full well being.”
VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes mentioned:
“Whereas it’s good to see that lots of England’s points of interest made up misplaced floor final yr, and to see the very welcome return of worldwide guests, these statistics are a well timed reminder of the continued challenges for the trade with many nonetheless rebuilding from the pandemic.
“We all know it continues to be a combined image for a lot of locations throughout England with our newest analysis exhibiting that considerations about the price of dwelling are having an affect.
“Our implausible customer points of interest are essential to our tourism supply, from our world-renowned museums, galleries, castles and historic homes to our beautiful gardens, rural, wildlife and outside points of interest. There actually is an attraction to swimsuit each style and price range. With the summer time holidays quick approaching I encourage everybody to get out and discover the wonderful customer supply right here on our doorstep.”
Chief Government of Historic England Duncan Wilson mentioned:
“These statistics affirm that 2022 was a troublesome yr, however one the place the sunshine might be seen on the finish of the tunnel because the pattern in customer numbers was so constructive. Heritage points of interest have been working all hours to search out new methods to deliver guests to their websites and their creativity is fantastic to see. I’m satisfied that the sector will emerge from the pandemic stronger and extra resilient than ever because of the eagerness for sharing our heritage that drives its folks.”
The Tower of London was again within the prime spot final yr as essentially the most visited ‘paid for’ attraction in England with 2.0 million guests, up 284% on 2021, though down virtually a 3rd on 2019. Kew Gardens was second with 1.96 million guests, on par with 2021 however nonetheless down 15% on 2019, and RHS Backyard Wisley third with 1.5 million, up 6% on 2021 and up 21% on 2019.
Topping the checklist of free points of interest in England in 2022 was the Pure Historical past Museum with 4.7 million guests, up 196% on 2021 though nonetheless down 14% on 2019. Second was Brighton Pier with 4.6 million guests, up 9% on 2021 though a decline of 5% on 2019. The third most visited free attraction in England in 2022 was the British Museum with 4.1 million guests, up 209% on 2021 however nonetheless down 34% on 2019.
particular classes of customer points of interest, the class with the best share development in 2022 was ‘Locations of Worship’ with visits up 117% on 2021. ‘Museums/Artwork Galleries’ additionally noticed robust restoration final yr, with visits up 114% on 2021. The class ‘Workplaces,’ representing industrial/craft points of interest, noticed visits up 55% whereas ‘Different Historic Properties’ and ‘Customer/Heritage Centres’ additionally confirmed robust restoration in customer numbers in 2022, up 51% and 49% respectively on 2021.
To see the outcomes of the VisitEngland Annual Survey of Visits to Customer Points of interest in 2022 together with regional knowledge see: https://www.visitbritain.org/annual-survey-visits-visitor-attractions-latest-results
Tourism is one in all England’s largest and most beneficial industries, supporting a whole lot of 1000’s of companies, using about 2.6 million folks and, in 2019, producing £76 billion in home customer spending.