WORCESTERSHIRE’S TOURISM ECONOMY WORTH MORE THAN £747M IN 2021

Visit Worcestershire has released the latest data revealing the economic impact of tourism within the county in 2021.

The county has seen continued recovery growth since the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced the industry to shut down and adjust business operations over the past two years.

In 2021, just over 14 million people visited the county including 883,000 overnight stays. Visitors contributed more than £747 million to the local economy giving destinations, attractions and the hospitality sector a much-welcomed boost after the struggles businesses faced after the pandemic.

Visitor numbers at The West Midlands Safari Park were strong and spend per head increased on previous years as good weather and the lack of foreign holidays boosted the market for UK-based visitor attractions. The birth of two new rhino calves and the addition of a red panda to the animal collection also helped to attract interest. The company also successfully opened its first eight safari lodges and upgraded animal houses in April 2021.

Cllr Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills at Worcestershire County Council, said: “Tourism is a huge asset to the Worcestershire economy demonstrating real financial value.”

Tourism accounts for 5.5 per cent of all employment in Worcestershire, totalling 16,630 jobs in the local area. However, businesses still face recruitment issues across the sector due to a skills shortage and increased wages.

Overall the value of tourism in Worcestershire is around 25 per cent down compared to pre-pandemic levels but with the easing of restrictions, Visit Worcestershire hopes that 2022 will o er a more clear forecast after a more consistent year of trading for businesses.