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NEWS
Number of visits to UK attractions are bouncing back says ALVA
POSTED 22 Mar 2023 . BY Tom Walker
London's Natural History Museum saw a 196 per cent increase in visitors during 2022 Credit: Shutterstock/elRoce
Visitor numbers at the UK’s leading attractions have bounced back strongly
The number of visits to UK attractions rose by 69 per cent in 2022, which is only 22 per cent lower than in 2019
Indoor sites enjoyed the strongest year-on-year growth, with a 176 per cent uplift
The figures come from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions' annual report
Visitor numbers at the UK’s leading attractions have bounced strongly, getting to 78 per cent of pre-pandemic numbers.

Figures published by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) show that the number of visits to its sites rose by 69 per cent in 2022 when compared with the year before, only 22 per cent lower than in 2019.

As all pandemic restrictions were lifted for 2022, indoor sites enjoyed the strongest year-on-year growth, with a 176 per cent uplift, ahead of mixed sites at 44 per cent.

Outdoor sites reported an increase of five per cent during the year.

The most-visited attraction in the UK – with 5,636,844 visits (a four per cent increase on 2021) – is still Windsor Great Park, which is managed by the Crown Estate.

The most-visited indoor attraction and second most visited attraction overall was the Natural History Museum in London, which saw a 196 per cent increase in visitors to 4,654,608.

The British Museum saw a 209 per cent increase in visitors, welcoming 4,097,253 people through its doors – making it the third most visited attraction in the country. In fourth place was Tate Modern, which saw a 202 per cent increase.

Bernard Donoghue, director of ALVA, said: “These figures show that visitors flocked back to their favourite places in 2022 to breathe, heal, repair and to enjoy special moments with special people in special places.

"The year ended strongly with attractions reporting a very busy Christmas, strong visitor numbers and strong retail sales.

“Many attractions are still not back up to 2019 visitor levels due, mainly, to the absence of international visitors, notably from China and the Far East, but I am confident that they will return this year and we will see a continuing healthy recovery."

In the pandemic year of 2020, The UK's major visitor attractions recorded just 45.4 million visits – a 70 per cent fall from the 151.3 million visits they received in 2019.
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  FEATURE: Profile: Bernard Donoghue: ALVA CEO


When COVID-19 hit, ALVA’s CEO stepped up. He talks us through lobbying government, getting results and supporting the sector through incredibly tough times
  ALVA's Bernard Donoghue awarded OBE for his extraordinary work supporting the attractions sector


Bernard Donoghue, director of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), has been awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
  World's top 100 museums and galleries suffer 77 per cent fall in visits during pandemic


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NEWS
Number of visits to UK attractions are bouncing back says ALVA
POSTED 22 Mar 2023 . BY Tom Walker
London's Natural History Museum saw a 196 per cent increase in visitors during 2022 Credit: Shutterstock/elRoce
Visitor numbers at the UK’s leading attractions have bounced back strongly
The number of visits to UK attractions rose by 69 per cent in 2022, which is only 22 per cent lower than in 2019
Indoor sites enjoyed the strongest year-on-year growth, with a 176 per cent uplift
The figures come from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions' annual report
Visitor numbers at the UK’s leading attractions have bounced strongly, getting to 78 per cent of pre-pandemic numbers.

Figures published by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) show that the number of visits to its sites rose by 69 per cent in 2022 when compared with the year before, only 22 per cent lower than in 2019.

As all pandemic restrictions were lifted for 2022, indoor sites enjoyed the strongest year-on-year growth, with a 176 per cent uplift, ahead of mixed sites at 44 per cent.

Outdoor sites reported an increase of five per cent during the year.

The most-visited attraction in the UK – with 5,636,844 visits (a four per cent increase on 2021) – is still Windsor Great Park, which is managed by the Crown Estate.

The most-visited indoor attraction and second most visited attraction overall was the Natural History Museum in London, which saw a 196 per cent increase in visitors to 4,654,608.

The British Museum saw a 209 per cent increase in visitors, welcoming 4,097,253 people through its doors – making it the third most visited attraction in the country. In fourth place was Tate Modern, which saw a 202 per cent increase.

Bernard Donoghue, director of ALVA, said: “These figures show that visitors flocked back to their favourite places in 2022 to breathe, heal, repair and to enjoy special moments with special people in special places.

"The year ended strongly with attractions reporting a very busy Christmas, strong visitor numbers and strong retail sales.

“Many attractions are still not back up to 2019 visitor levels due, mainly, to the absence of international visitors, notably from China and the Far East, but I am confident that they will return this year and we will see a continuing healthy recovery."

In the pandemic year of 2020, The UK's major visitor attractions recorded just 45.4 million visits – a 70 per cent fall from the 151.3 million visits they received in 2019.
RELATED STORIES
FEATURE: Profile: Bernard Donoghue: ALVA CEO


When COVID-19 hit, ALVA’s CEO stepped up. He talks us through lobbying government, getting results and supporting the sector through incredibly tough times
ALVA's Bernard Donoghue awarded OBE for his extraordinary work supporting the attractions sector


Bernard Donoghue, director of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), has been awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
World's top 100 museums and galleries suffer 77 per cent fall in visits during pandemic


The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in visits to the world's top 100 museums and galleries falling by three quarters.
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“We finally have a space worthy of our collection”: V&A launches huge new Photography Centre
Coronation Street experience gets investment ahead of reopening
The popular Coronation Street Tour in Manchester, UK, has been expanded into a brand new visitor attraction that will open to the public next month.
NWTO: Mountain tourism now accounts for up to 16 per cent of international tourist arrivals
Mountain tourism represents between nine and 16 per cent of all international tourist arrivals worldwide as people head for sport, health and wellbeing travel.
Vikings gather for TEA’s SATE Europe conference at Europa-Park
Therme Group planning flagship US facility in Washington DC
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COMPANY PROFILES
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
Taylor Made Designs

Taylor Made Designs (TMD) has been supplying the Attractions, Holiday Park, Zoos and Theme Park mark [more...]
TOR Systems Ltd

TOR Systems have been in this business since 1981. [more...]
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

How two water rides are creating refreshing adventures in Vietnam’s biggest theme park
Aiming to become a top entertainment destination in southern Vietnam for both domestic and international tourists, VinWonders Phú Quốc opened in 2021 as the biggest theme park in the country. [more...]
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Red Raion - Testimonial Richard Needham - SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment
Last July 7th, Red Raion took part in the opening event of FICO Eataly World, the Italian theme park dedicated to food - the only one worldwide! Find out more...
More videos:
+ More videos  

CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

24-26 Oct 2023

ASEAN Pool & Spa Expo

IMPACT Exhibition Centre, Thailand
24-27 Oct 2023

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Palmaïa, The House of Aia, Playacar, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2023

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