London’s tourist economy is “roaring back” to life this summer as a new analysis reveals a surge in post-pandemic visitor numbers.
Attractions and hotels across the capital say they have been delighted by far better than expected visitor numbers after two years wiped out by Covid restrictions and a third that only saw a tentative recovery.
But research collated by City Hall shows international arrivals to the capital have surged this year and could end up being well ahead even of the record year of 2019.
Two million more international visitors are forecast to arrive in London in 2023, compared with last year, which is projected to produce an extra £674 million in revenue.
Americans are leading the charge with many using “tour credits” they received when trips had to be cancelled when Covid first hit three years ago.
They have also been encouraged to lock in visits to the UK by the strength of the dollar against the pound over the autumn and winter when most bookings are made.
Tom Jenkins, chief executive of European tourism body ETOA, said: “In tourism terms London is broadly back to normal.”
Latest figures from RSM Hotel Tracker show occupancy rates in London hotels up from 76.7 per cent to 80.4 per cent in June, with July expected to have been even better.
The analysis comes after London’s music and film industry enjoyed a hugely successful July. More than one million people attended live music shows in the first week of the month while cinemas enjoyed the busiest weekend for ticket sales in four years with the much-anticipated premieres of Barbie and Oppenheimer.
Transport for London reported last week that almost 200 million Elizabeth line journeys had been made since the service opened in May last year — bringing a major boost to entertainment venues, leisure and cultural hotspots across the capital.
The Mayor’s “Let’s Do London” campaign — designed to encourage Londoners and visitors back to the capital’s attractions — is separately thought to have brought in an extra £346 million and 850,000 more overnight visitors to the city.
A report this month by tourism body Visit Britain meanwhile found that London’s attractions in 2022 enjoyed a 141 per cent rise in visitor numbers compared with 2021 - by far the highest growth seen in any UK region. The report surveyed 85 key attractions across the capital to find the visitor growth rate.
A separate analysis found that London was the top city in Europe for overnight stays in 2022, with an increase of 131.5 per cent.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “Our capital is roaring back with tourists from around the world joining Londoners in enjoying all of the fantastic attractions on offer.
“Culture is at the heart of our city, and I’m delighted that our world-renowned theatres, venues, galleries and museums are helping to drive our recovery.”
Bernard Donoghue, director of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, said the capital “has bounced back, and these astonishing visitor figures for London’s favourite attractions show that clearly”.
A number of major London events are still to come this summer, including the Notting Hill Carnival, one of the biggest and oldest street parties in the world.
All Points East festival in Victoria Park later this month is set to be headlined by Stormzy, The Strokes and Dermot Kennedy, while in September, London Fashion Week will showcase the best international and local talent in design and creativity.
