THE BRITISH Tourist Authority has warned that the strong pound is set to dampen interest generated in overseas markets by the UK’s millennium attractions.
BTA chairman David Quarmby claimed there was unprecedented interest round the world in the Dome and other millennium attractions, in which the UK has invested a total of £5bn.
However, he added: “The strong pound continues to disadvantage Britain as a tourist destination particularly from Continental Europe.
“The BTA and the tourism industry in Britain is working hard to deliver the record number of overseas visitors planned for the year 2000, but with the strong pound working against us, no one should expect miracles.”
He said many tourists had lost confidence in coming to the UK because it was perceived as too expensive. The markets that have been particularly affected include France, Belgium and Japan. North America, which has performed strongly over the past few years, has also seen a slackening in growth of late.
The BTA estimates there has been modest growth in the inbound market in 1999.
Visitor volumes were flat at 25.7m, but spending rose from £12.6bn in 1998 to £12.9bn.
Forecasts for 2000 suggest visits will be up 3% to 26.5m and spending up 5% to £13.6bn.
Meanwhile, the BTA is planning to concentrate its overseas promotions on sport and young people aged between 16 and 25 this year. The focus on youth is designed to capture a market that travels widely and has potential for the future. The £4bn a year business travel market will be a third key focus for the BTA.
n The Tourism Forum, a travel trade body set up to advise the Government about industry issues, discussed the future objectives of the ETC at a meeting in December. The next meeting will be held on March 1.
TABLE: Uphill: UK continues to struggle against the strong pound