Tourism will grow at 3.5% a year for the next decade, outstripping the manufacturing, utilities, retailing, transport and communications sectors, according to new research.
The Deloitte and Oxford Economics analysis, on behalf of VisitBritain, said tourism was worth £115 billion and employed 2.6 million people, making it Britain’s fifth-biggest industry.
It predicts 10,000 new inbound tourism jobs in the UK in 2010, meaning one in 12 jobs will be supported by tourism.
The forecasters predict 250,000 tourism jobs will be created in the UK by 2020, taking the total figure to 2.9 million.
However, that growth would rely on continued investment in the sector, enhanced government policies and renewed regulatory support.
The forecasters also expect spending by inbound visitors to almost double to £31 billion by 2020, with domestic spending by UK residents rising from £72 billion in 2010 to £113 billion in 10 years’ time.
Christopher Rodrigues, chairman of VisitBritain, said: “This research reaffirms the importance of tourism to the British economy.
“Tourism is a powerful economic driver, and investing in tourism delivers immediate economic benefits – overseas visitors pay around £3 billion a year to the Treasury alone.
“It supports jobs across the country in cities, seaside towns and rural areas, cannot be outsourced and has the potential to grow.
“But its benefits in income to the Treasury, local communities and in shaping Britain’s image abroad are taken for granted.
“We now have the catalyst of being host to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to revitalise the welcome we offer the world, and I hope this research will underline what a historic opportunity we all have to work for.”
The latest claims come as the industry rallies to support Travel Weekly’s own Yes Minister campaign which is demanding the creation of a single senior ministerial role covering both inbound and outbound tourism.