The negative impact on inbound tourism of London hosting the Olympics should not damage bookings for next year and beyond, according to a new study.
UKinbound’s latest quarterly business barometer shows that more than two thirds of members saw tourist numbers down during the July-September Olympics period compared to the same time in 2011.
The Games also failed to deliver a major upswing in bookings for the final quarter of the year.
Yet UKinbound member companies all agree that the negative effects appear to be in the short term only and should not damage bookings in 2013 and beyond.
Obstacles such as Air Passenger Duty and VAT are seen as key inhibitors to the tourism legacy of the Games.
The survey found members to be cautiously optimistic for the industry next year despite earlier fears that events such as the royal wedding, the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics would over-expose London and the UK and deter potential tourists from visiting over the following few years.
But more than half of members surveyed agreed that UK tourism optimism is evaporating due to the government’s tourism policy being at a standstill.
The organisation’s chief executive Mary Rance said: “It is encouraging to see that members have not let this year’s disappointing visitor figures dampen their optimism for the inbound tourism industry for 2013.
“However, this is most definitely set against a cautious backdrop of global economic turbulence and government economic strategy, particularly VAT and APD.
“Optimism in the industry is delicate and dependent on the Government’s treatment of barriers to entry and therefore it would be good to see action in areas where there has only been stagnation thus far.”
The business barometer, undertaken in conjunction with Qa Research, surveyed members who represent accommodation, attractions and hotels.