The economic impact of tourism across regions and nations of the UK

Abstract

This article reports on work undertaken by the Tourism Intelligence Unit (TIU)1, based within Office for National Statistics ONS, to measure the economic impact of tourism at the regional level. The methodologies and data analysis presented look at the demand and supply components of tourism with the aim of providing a reliable measure of the regional Gross Value Added GVA of tourism. Two measures of GVA have been identified as international best practise2. GVA of the tourismrelated industries GVATI provides a robust measure of the total supplyside value of those industries which meet the demand of tourists as well as of residents. However, Tourism Direct Gross Value Added TDGVA is recommended as the principle indicator of the regional value of tourism as it moderates the value TDGVA in the light of the proportion of consumption made by tourists as distinct from consumption made by residents in those industries.