Research and Statistics

Stapleford Park, Leicestershire

Measuring progress

Tourism is one of the largest and most important business sectors in the UK generating around £74 billion in revenue annually, with tourism accounting for 6.4% of the UK’s GDP and 3.4% of GVA (ONS figures).

Visitor numbers total 118 million. Tourism is the UK’s sixth largest industry ahead of agriculture, financial services and transport. Nationally tourism employment accounts for 7.7% of the total UK workforce, with almost 80% of tourism jobs located outside of London.

At a regional level, the East Midlands’ tourism sector is worth around £6.05 billion annually and provides employment for an estimated 98,500 people.

EMT is committed to building the industry’s knowledge and understanding so that this insight can be applied effectively to generate growth for the visitor economy.

Working closely with emda’s research team and other specialists, EMT regards data as the robust evidence base that underpins all marketing, quality and investment activity.

Research commissioned by EMT provides a comprehensive review of the value, volume and economic impact of tourism in the region to date.

The research, undertaken by Global Tourism Solutions (UK) Ltd using their STEAM (Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor) model, approaches the measurement of tourism at a local level from the supply side (i.e. accommodation, attractions) and quantifies the local economic impact of tourism, from both stay and day visitors.

Supply side analysis at Destination Management Partnership (DMP) and local authority level supports strategic planning, development and investment decisions. 

The following headline data for the East Midlands is derived from the results of the 2009 STEAM study:

* Total tourist numbers: 141.8 million
* Total spend by visitors: £6.054 billion
* Number of tourists staying overnight: 15.53 million

Find out more about other tourim data incling the International Passenger Survey and the England Occupancy Survey