A survey by the UKinbound association has found confidence among members rising despite the heightened risks of a no-deal Brexit.
The latest UKinbound Business Barometer, a rolling survey, found 75% of member businesses reported bookings, visitor numbers or customer orders in May and June at the same level or higher than last year.
An even greater proportion, 84%, reported yields the same or higher year on year in the period.
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More than half (57%) said they were confident about the next 12 months – an increase of eight percentage points on the previous survey in March-April.
UKinbound’s Business Barometer is a rolling survey of sentiment in the inbound leisure-travel sector.
Members reported China and the US remain the leading markets for growth in visitors to Britain, with 43% of respondents reporting growth from one or other of these markets.
At the same time, almost one-third (29%) reported a continuing decline in visitors from France and Germany.
UK marketing body VisitBritain has previously reported a downturn in visitors from northern Europe, and from France in particular.
Sally Balcombe, VisitBritain chief executive, told the UKinbound convention in Glasgow in February: “Concerns about Brexit are filtering into the results.”
Balcombe reported ‘intention-to-travel’ research among EU consumers found 32% “said their perception of Britain has declined” and she described the trend as “particularly strong in France and the Netherlands”.
The new UK government under prime minister Boris Johnson, who replaced Theresa May in late July, has ramped up preparations for a no-deal Brexit.
However, that has triggered fresh falls in the value of the pound, making the UK better value for US, Chinese and EU visitors.
UKinbound also surveyed members’ attitudes to sustainability.
More than half (59%) said they were reducing use of single-use plastics, 49% acting to reduce their carbon footprint, 40% cutting food waste and recycling, and one in five using energy from renewable sources.
UKinbound chief executive Joss Croft said: “It’s great to know our members care about the environment and are taking action to minimise the impact of their business and clients.”
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