UK sports tourism thriving
21/07/2010
Sporting events have provided a welcome boost to Britain’s tourism industry, Travel Weekly has reported.
According to research from national tourism agency VisitBritain, £2.3 billion was spent by around three million foreign tourists in 2008 on watching and playing sport in the UK.
Sporting visitors also tended to splash the cash more than the average tourist, spending an average of £900 per trip compared to the £500 spent by regular tourists.
Sandie Dawe, chief executive of VisitBritain, commented, "This survey clearly demonstrates British sport is growing in popularity with foreign visitors."
"It is a hugely encouraging sign that Britain has the sporting expertise to stage an Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 that we hope will win the hearts of the world and deliver a tourism legacy, jobs and economic growth for this country."
Sporty Brits heading overseas can benefit from great value deals on travel insurance from Virgin Money.
