Forecasts from VisitBritain, the national tourism agency, indicate that 2017 is set to be another record year for inbound tourism to the UK. 

The number of overseas visitors to the UK is expected to rise to 38.1 million visits, up 4% on 2016, which is likely to see about 36.7 million visits by year end. Spending by overseas visitors is predicted to reach £24.1 billion in 2017, an 8% increase on spending last year, which is expected to hit £22.3 billion.

VisitBritain Chief Executive Sally Balcombe said: “These figures not only underpin a longer-term pattern of growth for inbound tourism, one of our fastest growing export industries, but also demonstrate its growing importance as a key driver for economic growth and jobs. With our hotels, shops and attractions all offering excellent value for overseas visitors right now, it’s a great time to come to Britain.”

VisitBritain is positioning Britain as a must-go-now holiday destination through its global #OMGB ‘Home of Amazing Moments’ campaigns to promote the amazing experiences that can only be had here. It is part of the UK Government’s global GREAT Britain campaign, which showcases the very best of what Britain has to offer as a place to visit, study, invest and do business.

Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel & Tourism, said: “It is great to hear that further growth is predicted for inbound tourism to the UK in 2017. With the value of sterling as it is, there really hasn’t been a better time to visit this country for many years. At Janet Redler Travel & Tourism we are looking forward to welcoming many new and returning visitors in 2017.”

Promoting the diversity of Britain’s tourism offer across all its nations and regions will continue in 2017 through a range of activities, events and celebrations:

• England’s ‘Year of Literary Heroes’ will celebrate literary anniversaries and milestones
• Wales will pay tribute to epic myths and legends of yore with the ‘Year of Legends’
• Scotland is set to celebrate its rich past during the ‘Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology’

Following on from a year which has seen anniversaries celebrated for William Shakespeare, Beatrix Potter, Charlotte Bronte and Roald Dahl, the literary theme continues in 2017 with special events to commemorate:

• The 200th anniversary of the death of Jane Austen
• The 125th anniversary of the first Sherlock Holmes publication
• The 20th anniversary of the first Harry Potter book – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Other celebrations, attractions and openings in 2017 include:

• Hull – the UK City of Culture 2017
• 70 years of the Edinburgh festivals – the city will be transformed like never before with music, science, film, art, theatre, dance, literature and storytelling
• 2017 World Athletics Championships and World Para Athletics Championships in July and August
• New Hadrian’s Cavalry exhibition – celebrating the elite Roman cavalry regiments that guarded Hadrian’s Wall, on the border between England and Scotland. and the power of Imperial Rome 2,000 years ago
• Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea, Wales, will host the Leonardo da Vinci: Ten Drawings from the Royal Collection

If you or your group would like to visit the UK in 2017 and would like Janet Redler Travel & Tourism to put together a tailor made tour for you, please do contact our friendly team.