The next decade offers England’s tourism industry some significant opportunities equally matched by a number of challenges.

With the creation of VisitEngland in 2009, the industry now has a dedicated body to provide the leadership to market England, drive forward developments in quality, ease of access and sustainability and to improve data collection and market intelligence.

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) forecast for annual global growth in tourism has been estimated at an average 4% per annum over the next ten years in real terms.  The 2010 Deloitte study forecasts real growth of 3% per annum for England with strong growth anticipated particularly over the post 2012 period. This is equivalent to 5% annual growth including inflation. 

If achieved, the cumulative increase in the size of the England market will be 64% by 2020.  This would result in an additional £50 billion in expenditure and the creation of 225,000 jobs.  This would significantly outstrip the performance of other major sectors of the national economy such as manufacturing.  If no growth were achieved the result would be significant job losses and the demise of a wide range of tourism businesses.

The Strategic Framework for England’s tourism provides the coordinated approach needed for the public and private sector tourism industry to work together on four key objectives.  These will be the foundation for achieving the collective vision of maximizing tourism’s contribution to the economy, employment and quality of life in England. 

Please click here for Opportunities and Challenges.