In today’s blog post we will look at the United Kingdom and why migrants want to visit, work and live here. We have divided our reasons into three categories: migration for pleasure (Holidays!) economic migration and, finally, setting up a home. Whilst we have created three categories, for many the reasons may overlap. Let us get started by looking at what the United Kingdom has to offer to would be tourists:
Visiting the U.K
Just how popular is the United Kingdom as a tourist destination? According to the latest figures last year there were more than 32 million visists to the United Kingdom, up 6.4% from 2013. Out of the top 10 countries to visit the United Kingdom 8 are from Europe, perhaps a nod towards staying within the European Union and its economic benefits, with the other 2 countries having historical ties with Great Britain. The list, which if it were a group stage in the World Cup would cause serious problems for the Home Nations, is as follows:
- France 3.6 million
- Germany 3 million
- U.S.A 2.7 million
- Republic of Ireland 2.6 million
- Spain 1.8 million
- Netherlands 1.8 million
- Italy 1.5 million
- Poland 1.1 million
- Belgium 1.1 million
- New Zealand 1.0 million
The economic benefits of tourism in the U.K are huge. According to www.visitbritain.org in 2013 tourism:
- Was responsible for 9% of the U.K GDP
- Brought in some £126.9 billion
- Created 3.1 million jobs
- Was responsible for 9.6% of all jobs
These staggering figures are set to grow massively by 2025 with the economic contribution set to rise to £257.4 billion and in the process creating 3.7 million jobs and being responsible for 9.9% of the GDP.
Where do tourists visist and what do they do?
For such a diverse land as the U.K with a wealth of cultural and historical sites tourism is rather London-centric, reflected in the data. In 2014 29% of journeys to the U.K were for leisure and some 24% were for business. The most popular destination for tourists was, and it may not come as any surprise, London with 17.4 million spending time in the capital. The rest of England attracted 14.2 million visitors with Scotland and Wales attracting 2.9 million and 0.9 million visitors respectably. The top 10 most popular tourist attractions reflect the domination London has over the rest of the country:
- The British Museum
- National Gallery
- The Natural History Museum
- The Tate Modern
- Epping Forest
- Brighton Pier
- The Science Museum
- The V & A
- The Tower Of London
- St Paul’s Cathedral
Other popular destinations include Flamenco Land Theme Park and Zoo in Yorkshire, Cadbury World in the Midlands and the Moors Valley Countrypark. Shopping is a tourist favourite with Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, Mayfair, the ode to the Olympic games that is Westfield Stratford and Regent Street being some of the most popular areas in London.
Business – Mind on the money
Ranked 5th in the World in terms of GDP according to the C.I.A World Factbook and 2nd in the G7, the U.K’s economy is attractive to foreign businesses and workers. EU workers continue to lead non-EU workers by almost double according to the latest Home Office statistics. Around 66,000 jobs were created by foreign companies in 2014 with the US, Japan, France and Germany leading the way. UKTI says investment rose 8% to a record level of £975bn and resulted in the creation of 66,390 new jobs, the highest total since 2001. In terms of ease of doing business the U.K ranks 8th in the World according to the World Bank Group. Often seen as an economic bridge between Europe and the U.S.A, it is clear that the U.K is a hugely attractive destination for both foreign investment and workers.
Our House
Whilst no clear stastic counts as setting up home in the U.K we can use recent Home Office data to infer the number of migrants moving to the U.K to live. Over the last year the net migration figure has been at an all time high of 320,000. It is estimated that some 600,000 people moved to the U.K last year, however, it is not clear as to why. Within Euope and, indeed across the World, the U.K is seen as an attractive destination to live. Britain is a fairly civilised society to live in, the rule of law is generally respected, there are strong ethinc minority communities and, on the whole, has a competent education system. Coupled with the U.K being a cultural and economic juggernaut, the U.K remains an attractive destination for people across the World.
Why do you think tourists come to the U.K? Where would you recommend that they visit? do you agree with our latest post? Let us know by leaving a comment!