Birmingham tourism given £4.6bn price tag
Birmingham welcomed a record 32.8 million visitors last year, an increase of 154,000 on the city's 2009 tourism figures. Research by Global Tourism Solutions said the city's visitor economy was now worth £4.6bn. Birmingham bucked the national trend, with tourism bodies VisitBritain and VisitEngland reporting drops in the number of visitors holidaying in the UK.
The increase in the number of tourists brought in an additional £18m to the city, according to the research.
Produced annually, the STEAM report assesses the economic impact of visitors to the UK’s major cities. It also revealed that 32.8 million visitors spent nearly 37.5 million days in Birmingham in 2010 – an increase of 364,000 days.
The average visitor to the city stays for 1.1 days and spends £140, said the survey.
Birmingham's visitor economy has grown significantly over the last five years with visitor numbers rising by 13 per cent from 29.1m to 32.8m. It is estimated that the visitor economy has created 21,220 jobs over the last five years, with employment in the sector going up by more than half (57 per cent).
Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "The city’s continued investment in its infrastructure, transport networks and resources to promote its offer at home and abroad have helped to attract new visitors and provide them with the high quality experiences they need to return, and to recommend Birmingham to others. This growing reputation is what, in turn, has created economic growth and jobs for the city."
Birmingham's hospitality sector is undergoing major expansion as 28 hotels are currently at various stages in planning and construction.
Two flagship hotels are planned for the city by Sanguine Hospitality - Hotel Indigo, occupying two floors of The Cube and the £34m, 285-bedroom Hampton by Hilton hotel based at Cumberland House on Broad Street.
Neil Rami, chief executive of Marketing Birmingham, said: "As we know, the weak pound and increased fuel costs have led to a rise in the ‘staycation’, with more people looking at what is available in the UK rather than travelling further afield for holidays. The choice of where to go for a break has taken on greater significance than ever – and by opting for Birmingham, visitors are voting with their feet."
