Tourism is one of the largest industries in the Region generating in excess of £10 billion per annum, equivalent to around 8% of Regional GDP. The Industry brings 194 million day visitors, 21 million domestic staying visitors and 3.6 million overseas visitors to the South East each year, with staying visitors spending £4.3 billion annually. Tourism supports over 225,000 jobs and plays a vital role in the powerhouse economy of the South East.
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A premier Hotel location
The South East of England is large, covering Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire and offers a huge range of experiences, attracting many different visitor types. The South East has significant and enduring strengths for the hotel market:
- more tourism than any other English Region outside London.
- well-balanced tourism product not over-dependent on any one sector.
- Leading multinational business location in Europe.
- Proximity to London and large affluent catchment population.
- highly skilled, flexible, English-speaking workforce.
- Gateway to Britain/Europe with fast, easy access for domestic & overseas visitors.
- Well known brands/destinations (eg Windsor, Oxford, New Forest).
- Beautiful countryside and coast.
- Lively cities, historic towns and picturesque villages (eg Southampton, Brighton, Canterbury).
- A range, depth and sophistication of attractions and facilities, reflecting the relative prosperity of the Region. (eg Blenhein, Wisley, Legoland).
- Iconic events, places and attractions with high international profile (eg Henley, Cowes, Goodwood, Glyndebourne).
- 6.6 million domestic overnight trips are spent in ‘serviced’ accommodation, generating 28m nights and around £2 billion in spend.
- Hotels account for 20% of all accommodation in the South East and 54% of all available visitor bedspaces.
- 60% average annual room occupancy, consistently achieved for the past 5 years and can exceed 70% July - September, peaking at around 74%.
- 35,000+ people are employed in the hotel sector. A further 51,000 people are employed in hospitality services.
- Strong business market presence represents 4 million overnight business visits to the Region annually from the UK and overseas, generating £1.2 billion in spend.
- The SE has a rich and varied leisure product, with a balanced portfolio of tourism assets including icons of international significance, set in a landscape of great beauty.
The outlook for the overall UK hotel industry is positive for the next 3 years with regards to growth forecast in terms of occupancy and average room rates. 2004 showed clear signs of recovery with further increases in occupancy and rates expected in 2005, and forecasters predicting a peak in the current growth cycle in 06.
Business Market
The UK is leading the way as the number one multinational business location in Europe. Numerous companies world-wide are expanding and locating in the UK and most are heading for the South East of England. The Region benefits from some of the best real estate in Europe and is already home to many established companies and multi-nationals contributing to the South East of England’s diverse and dynamic economy. The Region is known for its cutting edge in aerospace, hi-tech engineering, telecommunications, ICT, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Many of the world’s leading companies have a strong profile here, be they headquarters, sales and marketing operations or R&D facilities.
You´re in good company
