Tourists are funnelling billions of pounds into the West Country's economy, new figures have revealed. The region's tourism value rose to a record high of £2.7bn last year, new data from tourism body Visit West shows.
While the number of trips to the Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset region was down one per cent on 2023, spend was up six per cent with international visitors in particular staying more nights and spending more cash.
Research carried out by The South West Research Company on behalf of Visit West also showed that tourism-supported business turnover - the money spent with local businesses across the region - was £3.43bn, while 43,000 jobs are supported by the sector.
The number of domestic trips dropped slightly last year while spending for visitors from within the º£½ÇÊÓƵ remained at the same level as 2023, the research found. Some 30 per cent of all spending by visitors was attributed to food and drink and 33 per cent to retail.
Helen Godwin, mayor of the West of England, said: “The West is best – visitors and residents alike know how special our part of the world is.
"With people spending more while they’re visiting, tourism is supporting tens of thousands of jobs for local people and businesses."
Last month Bristol was named among the top destinations in the world to visit in 2026 by Lonely Planet due to its street art. It was the only º£½ÇÊÓƵ city to be listed by the travel guide.
This month, Visit West will deliver two media showcase events to help promote festive offers from businesses across the region, as well as participating in two industry events; a sales mission for inbound operators in China, Japan and South Korea, and the promotion of the region as a destination for business events at IBTM in Barcelona.
