‘Huge growth potential for visitors from India:’ VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates

NEW DELHI: With a huge Indian diaspora, the United Kingdom is betting big on boosting travel from the country. Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitBritain which is UK’s national tourism agency, says the Indian market is expected to be worth about £1.5 billion by 2030, up from £865 million this year with the number of visitors seeing rising from current under 6 lakh to almost 10 lakh in this time period.“While the average length of stay in the UK of an international visitor is seven days, guests from India stay for 28 days. The average spend per international visitor is £800 and for Indians it is at £1,300,” Yates told TOI.The UK, as expected like most western countries, has seen its visitor numbers getting affected by the ongoing West Asia crisis as a lot of connectivity comes via the hubs there, especially from India. As of now, it is Europe that is proving to be “growth driver” for it.While Indian visitors flock to Scotland and Wales also, the north of England has set its eyes on attracting them in large numbers. Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor and Chair of The Great North, said: “We want Indian visitors to enjoy everything Britain has to offer, but to travel further, stay longer and experience more. From our great cities and spectacular landscapes to Premier League football, international cricket, castles, culture and coastline, the North has an incredible amount to offer.”Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “The Liverpool City Region has so much to offer Indian visitors. We’re the UK’s cultural capital, home to The Beatles, two Premier League football clubs and an internationally renowned music, arts and cultural scene. As the UK’s third most visited region by international visitors, our visitor economy generates almost £7 billion a year and supports more than 58,000 local jobs. And beyond the world-class attractions, there’s nowhere quite like Liverpool when it comes to the warmth of our welcome. India’s growing tourism market presents a fantastic opportunity for the entire North.”Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, said, “From Bronte Country to bustling nightlife, Hepworth to Hockney, West Yorkshire has so much culture at its heart. Across Yorkshire, tourism, including screen tourism, is worth a whopping £9 billion every year. As the partnership of the Great North, we can showcase our spectacular sights, vibrant culture, and encourage more people to explore our regions.”You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.