The global recession and its impact on tourists' spending in the UK

Abstract

This article uses an input-output (IO) modelling approach to investigate the impact of the global recession on the expenditures of inbound and overnight domestic visitors and the wider effect on the UK economy. The results suggest that the economic crisis has had a negative direct impact on tourism in the UK of around 42 million, although this was the relatively small difference between a large increase in domestic holiday tourism and falls in business and visiting family, friends and relatives spending. In turn, this led to a negative indirect impact of 45 million, representing a 21 million net fall across the production chain and a 24 million net fall in the compensation of employees. Overall, the economy has suffered a total net loss of 87 million.