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Inbound visits to UK set to exceed 2019 levels

8th October 2024

Inbound visits to UK set to exceed 2019 levels

The latest forecast from VisitBritain is that the UK will welcome 39.5m international visitors by the end of the year, and 2025 figures will match the 40m+ of pre-pandemic levels. So now is the time to be re-booting your appeal to international audiences.

But which markets are the best to target? We have selected 5 of the top markets for the South East of England and have marketing opportunities to get your product in front of key buyers from all of them. Browse the options below and contact us to discuss, email smann@tourismse.com or simply book online

Germany

The Germans are the keenest outbound travellers in Europe, 3m of them arrived in UK last year, and they still maintain a strong preference for booking trips through travel agents.

At the VisitBritain Sales Mission to Frankfurt in November, we can present your product/destination to over 20 German buyers, pre-selected by VB to offer the best prospects of increasing awareness and distributing UK product in the German, Austrian and Swiss markets.

Find out more

Nordics

Swedes and Norwegians are some of the most regular inbound visitors, with 4 out of 5 visits being repeats, maybe that’s why Norwegians have developed a special interest in English wine?

At Travel News Market in Stockholm in December, we will be sharing a stand alongside VisitBritain to showcase the South East.  We can present your product/destination to visitors to our stand and at c20 pre-organised meetings to increase awareness and allow you to build links with the travel trade who distributing UK product in the Swedish, Norwegian and Danish markets.  

Find out more

Netherlands

This is one of the fastest markets to bounce back post-pandemic. Crucially the travel trade is not as strong here – Dutch consumers are more independent bookers.

At Vakantiebeurs in Utrecht in January, you can provide us with literature and our staff will distribute on your behalf.

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France

France remains our largest European inbound market, a UK visit is on many school curriculums. The range of international gateways in the South East makes us very well placed to welcome all French tourists.

At the VisitBritain Sales Mission to Paris in February, we can present your product/destination to over 20 French buyers, pre-selected by VB to offer the best prospects of increasing awareness and distributing UK product.

Find out more

North America

The largest and most valuable market by far is N. America. Visits by Americans already topped out at 6m in 2023, with the highest-ever spending. Most visits start in London, with big opportunities to spread out to the attractions of the South East.

At the Sales Mission to New York and Toronto in February, we can present your product/destination to over 30 US and Canadian buyers, and we can offer digital presentation to over 45k US travel agents.

Find out more

Multi- market

Not sure which market to target on a limited budget? Would like to trial international markets and assess? We have a couple of affordable options to suit:

Britain and Ireland Marketplace (BIM) is an enormous sales-mission style event held in London in January, where international buyers interested in UK and Ireland product gather to learn the latest destination updates and new products. Highly recommended for first time exposure to international markets. Find out more

We have a calendar of e-newsletters which are sent to our database of international contacts, that has been built over the years and added to regularly after each sales mission. Our most affordable option, Find out more