# Economic Value of Tourism

**Publisher:** VisitBritain  
**Published:** 2026-01-21  
**Category:** Destinations, NTOs & DMOs  
**Type:** Report  
**Access:** Free PDF  
**Official source:** https://www.visitbritain.org/research-insights/economic-value-tourism  
**Canonical:** https://tourismintel.ai/reports/economic-value-of-tourism

## At a glance
- Tourism contributed £147 billion to UK GDP in 2024, representing 5% of the national economy.
- The sector supported 2.4 million jobs across the UK, equivalent to one in every 15 jobs.
- Tourism generated £52 billion in tax revenues for the UK Government in 2024.
- Inbound tourism is forecast to grow 32% in value by 2030, adding £9.4 billion.
- The industry is predicted to create 175,000 additional jobs in the UK by 2030.

## What the report covers
VisitBritain and VisitEngland commissioned Oxford Economics to model tourism's economic contribution to the UK across nations and regions in 2024. The report measures GDP impact, employment, tax revenues, and patterns in inbound and domestic tourism. It includes forecasts through 2030 and explores growth potential across all UK regions, demonstrating tourism's role beyond major cities.

## Key findings
Tourism's direct contribution to the UK economy reached £147 billion in 2024, equivalent to 5% of national GDP. According to the report, tourism demonstrates consistent economic importance across all UK regions and nations, with each contributing at least 4% to GDP from the sector. This underscores tourism's role as a foundational element of the broader economy rather than a metropolitan-only phenomenon.

The sector is a major employer, supporting nearly 2.4 million jobs—approximately one in every 15 across the UK. The report notes that tourism accounts for at least 5% of employment in every region and nation of Britain, indicating significant labour market contribution beyond London and major tourist hubs. This employment breadth demonstrates the sector's economic reach into smaller communities.

Tax contributions from tourism totalled £52 billion in 2024 according to the report, representing substantial public revenue. This figure illustrates the sector's fiscal importance to central and local government funding for public services and infrastructure, justifying continued policy attention and investment in tourism development.

Looking forward, the report forecasts total tourism activity in the UK will reach £161 billion by 2030 in 2024 prices, representing inflation-adjusted growth of 9.3%. This growth rate exceeds the UK economy's overall projected expansion of 8.8%, signalling that tourism is expected to outpace general economic growth. Inbound tourism is forecast to drive much of this expansion, with predicted value growth of 32% between 2024 and 2030, equivalent to £9.4 billion in additional spending.

Employment expansion is projected to accelerate, with the report forecasting 175,000 additional tourism jobs by 2030. This job creation signals continued sector expansion and underscores the industry's role in addressing labour market needs across regions, particularly in areas with limited alternative employment opportunities.

## Key numbers
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tourism GDP contribution | £147 billion | 2024 observed; 5% of UK national economy |
| Tourism sector employment | 2.4 million jobs | 2024 observed; approximately 1 in 15 UK jobs |
| Tax revenues generated | £52 billion | 2024 observed; UK Government |
| Forecasted total tourism activity | £161 billion | 2030 forecast in 2024 prices; 9.3% inflation-adjusted growth |
| Inbound tourism value growth | £9.4 billion | 2024–2030 forecast; 32% growth rate |
| Forecasted job creation | 175,000 jobs | 2024–2030 forecast |
| Tourism contribution to regional GDP | At least 4% | 2024 observed; across all UK regions and nations |
| Tourism employment share in all regions | At least 5% | 2024 observed; across all UK regions and nations |

## Why it matters
**DMOs & destinations** — Regional tourism accounts for at least 5% of employment and 4% of GDP in every region, validating investment in destination marketing. The 9.3% projected growth through 2030 outpacing general economic expansion signals opportunity for regional positioning. DMOs can leverage these figures to secure funding and build collaborative partnerships that amplify local attractions.

**Hotels & hospitality** — The sector supports 2.4 million jobs with 175,000 forecast additions by 2030, indicating sustained demand for accommodation and hospitality services. Inbound tourism's predicted 32% value growth will drive incremental room nights and food-and-beverage revenue. Hoteliers should align capacity and service expansion with these growth projections to capture emerging demand.

**Travel tech & distribution** — Tourism's outpacing growth versus the broader economy (9.3% vs 8.8%) signals expanding transaction volumes and booking activity through 2030. The £9.4 billion forecast increase in inbound spending presents distribution opportunities for platforms targeting international visitors. Tech providers should develop capabilities to handle rising volume and geographic diversity.

## Methodology and limits
Oxford Economics conducted economic modelling and analysis for VisitBritain and VisitEngland, using official statistics and sectoral data. The report measures observed 2024 GDP, employment, and tax contributions across UK nations and regions, alongside forecasts to 2030 using standard economic projection methodologies. The report focuses on documented tourism sector activity; the full methodology detail is contained in the report PDF published 20 January 2026.

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© VisitBritain for the original report. This brief is an original editorial summary by TourismIntel (https://tourismintel.ai). Read the original: https://www.visitbritain.org/research-insights/economic-value-tourism