About the regional visitor economy

The visitor economy is worth more than £2.33bn to the west of England supporting more than 45, 557 jobs. 

Within the wider South West of England, the four unitary authorities of Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, have the highest number of day visits of any other individual region with more than 33 million day trips and the third highest number of staying trips overall after Devon and Cornwall.  While this represents the third highest number of domestic staying trips, staying nights and spend, the region has the highest number of international staying trips.

The region is also strong for business events and business travel which represents around 15% of all staying trips relating to business

July and August are peak travel months, with most individual trips taking place in August but July remains peak month for actual staying nights.

Days visits are far less seasonal, although peak between April (or Easter) and September, rising again in December.  Spend peaks in December for day visits, with a strong Christmas impact.

Food and drink generate around 32% of all direct visitor expenditure, followed by retail at 24%.  Accommodation spend is 19%, travel 15% and attractions and entertainment 11%.

Retail is the only segment where international staying visitors outspend their domestic counterparts.