UK tourism is experiencing a sharp rise in both inbound and domestic bookings as a direct result of the EU Referendum, according to a new survey by the Tourism Alliance.

Following the Referendum, Tourism Alliance director Kurt Janson predicted that the UK’s decision to leave the European Union would have a very similar impact on the tourism industry to that of the 2008 financial crisis, with more people opting for a staycation instead of travel abroad.

His prediction seems to have been proven accurate, with the survey of more than 500 tourism businesses throughout the UK revealing that 18 per cent of inbound tourist businesses and an additional 21 per cent of domestic tourism businesses have experienced an increase in advanced bookings following the result of the vote on 23 June.

While many are predicting doom and gloom for the UK’s economy as a result of the Brexit, the inbound tourist industry is buoyant as operators plan to increase levels of investment into their product. According to the Tourism Alliance, 20 per cent of those surveyed said they were planning to increase current levels of investment as a result of the expectation for increased domestic numbers.

“These results show the strength and responsiveness of the UK tourism industry and our ability to provide employment and growth for local economies throughout the UK,” said Tourism Alliance chair and director, Bernard Donoghue.

“While the industry is expecting a short-term boom in both domestic and inbound tourism over the next two years, the long-term prospects are dependent on the UK securing a deal with the EU that will protect the ability of UK and EU residents to easily travel. We will also want to ensure that our industry, which is heavily dependent on workers from the EU, has the opportunity to recruit and attract the workers we need.”

The Tourism Alliance is planning to achieve sustained success by presenting a draft Tourism Exit Strategy to new culture secretary Karen Bradley at a round table meeting next week. The draft will identify significant tourism-related issues that will affect the UK, offering industry opinion as to what actions the government should take in order to capitalise on future potential and growth of the sector as a whole.

To read the full survey, click here.