North of England calls for support to restore international visitor markets

Following the relaxation of travel rules for inbound international visitors, leaders from across the North of England’s visitor economy have written to the UK Government requesting support to restore the region’s international visitor markets and the investment opportunities that depend on direct flight connectivity. The letter, addressed to Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps MP and Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Nadine Dorries MP, highlights the value of inbound tourism and suggests a change of direction to help rebuild inbound tourism. Research shows that the North of England had 5.31m inbound visitors in 2019, up 2.3% on 2018, creating a combined total expenditure of £2.63bn (US$3.11m), up 2.9% on the previous year. Over the last decade, international connections into regional hubs including Manchester Airport, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Newcastle International Airport and Leeds/Bradford Airport, have also grown with new and expanded routes from Europe, USA, China, and India. However, international visitors to the North of England have not returned to 2019 levels, and after the introduction of pre-departure and PCR testing in November, passenger numbers at airports, such as those managed by Manchester Airports Group, have dropped by 13% week-on-week. Now the removal of restrictions, which takes effect from today (7 January), is expected to provide a boost to consumer confidence. Northern DMOs are now asking the government to recognise the impact of the remaining restrictions on the inbound travel sector and the knock-on effects for the wider visitor economies in destinations across the North. They also ask that the government: 1) Use the January Review of the international travel framework to implement change and create a clear system and roadmap, so inbound passengers have the confidence to book international travel in advance. 2) Provide support to promote that the UK is fully open for business and welcomes international visitors through all of its gateways. 3) Respond to the long-term damage that has been inflicted on the travel sector by providing direct, targeted support to recover its inbound markets through its gateway airports, inbound travel operators and DMOs. Sheona Southern, managing director at Marketing Manchester, commented: “Every day that restrictions remain in place represents another dent in consumer and business confidence, along with damaging the long-term recovery of the inbound tourism market at what is a vital time of year for forward bookings.” Southern continued: “We must act now and ensure that we not miss the opportunity to fast track our economic recovery by encouraging uplift in international arrivals in 2022.” Karen Smart, managing director at Manchester Airport, added: “Manchester Airport is the global gateway to the North and the recovery of the aviation and inbound tourism sectors will underpin the wider economic recovery of our region. “The relaxation of testing and isolation requirements for fully-vaccinated travellers is therefore very welcome. But we fully support calls from our region’s DMOs to set out a framework for lifting the remaining restrictions, including testing on arrival, which will do a great deal to restore consumer confidence.” The letter has been coordinated by Marketing Manchester and co-signed by leaders from Welcome to Yorkshire, Marketing Cheshire, Cumbria Tourism, Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire, Marketing Lancashire, Visit County Durham, Visit Leeds, Make it York, Marketing Liverpool, Newcastle/Gateshead Initiative and Northumbria Tourism.