Tourism now worth £6.6bn to Greater Manchester
THE value of tourism to the Greater Manchester economy rose by £325m last year to £6.6bn, according to a report.
The major factor behind the increase in 2012 was an 8.4% increase in the number of overnight visits to the region, with 10.3 million people boosting the city’s hotels.
The data forms parts of the latest STEAM (Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor) report – commissioned each year by Visit Manchester, the tourist board for Greater Manchester.
It shows 2,896 new jobs were also created during the year – taking the number of jobs supported by the tourism industry from just over 81,000 to almost 84,000.
Paul Simpson, managing director of Visit Manchester, said: “Tourism is delivering for the city more than ever before. New jobs, new visitor attractions and a whole host of special events across Greater Manchester made 2012 a year to remember.
“A destination’s hotel occupancy is a great measure of its visitor appeal. Greater Manchester’s average is an enviable 73% – and with new developments in 2012 taking the number of rooms to over 20,000 (20,474) – that shows just how strong demand is.
“2013 has more than matched 2012 and I am confident we will see the value of the industry continue to rise.”
The Manchester International Festival, the Sea Life Centre opening at the Trafford Centre and the Ashes Test at Old Trafford this summer is expected to boost the 2013 tourism numbers.
In 2012 the opening of the National Football Museum, the Lion King musical at the Palace Theatre, Stone Roses concerts at Heaton Park and the X-Factor finals were major attractions.
