8.1l What are the key drivers of productivity within visitor economy sectors, and how can policy influence them? How do these differ by place and by season?

Background

We have a vision to put the UK among the world’s most dynamic, inclusive, and regenerative visitor economies - one that delivers regional growth, opportunity, and community pride across the country. To achieve this, DCMS needs to better understand drivers and influences of tourism, ‘what works’ in growing and improving the visitor offer, and therefore visitor number and spend across the whole of the UK, whilst considering the social and environmental impact of tourism. Gaining a more detailed understanding of the sector workforce and businesses, as well as making more intelligent use of data are also important research priorities. DCMS is keen to ground this understanding in place-based approaches, for example those focused on coastal and rural locations, and how issues of seasonality impact the sector. Place-based approaches cover a range of perspectives, for example visitor economy assets and services and experiences as part of wider local social, cultural and economic infrastructure.

Next steps

Get in touch with [email protected]

Related UKRI funded projects


  • The sectoral economic impacts of COVID-19 on the tourism economy: a regional analysis focussed on Scotland

    The broad patterns of changes in tourism induced by Covid-19 and the resulting containment measures - a sharp and sudden fall in international arrivals and lower international travel to the UK, plus reduced intra-UK dome...

    Funded by: COVID

    Lead research organisation: University of Strathclyde

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on the economic impacts of COVID-19 on the tourism industry in Scotland, providing insights into key drivers of productivity and policy implications.

  • Climate change and the tourism sector: impacts and adaptations at visitor attractions

    Tourism is a vital to UK economy, society and culture. Described by government in its Tourism Recovery Plan (June 2021) as a 'national asset', prior to the Coronavirus pandemic the tourism sector accounted for around 10%...

    Funded by: SPF

    Lead research organisation: UNIVERSITY OF EXETER

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project addresses the impacts of climate change on the tourism sector, which is relevant to understanding key drivers of productivity and policy implications.

  • Digital Destinations: Exchanging Digital Technology Knowledge in Local Tourism Economies

    This proposal offers the opportunity to capture change in the adoption and use of digital technologies and to develop a strong, competitive local tourism economy. Through their increased understanding and use of emerging...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: Bournemouth University

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on exchanging digital technology knowledge in local tourism economies, which can influence productivity and policy in the visitor economy sector.

  • University of Brighton and Swim Trek Limited KTP 23_24 R4

    To develop a novel environmental, social and economic impact framework for identifying and capturing adventure tourism data and implementing novel methodologies for mitigating (offsetting, insetting) against and taking r...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON

  • Safe Access Booking for Recreation (SABRe)

    Social distancing, travel restrictions and the closure of many business and countryside sites and attractions has been an essential part of the management of Coronavirus. However, these restrictions have severely disrupt...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: EXEGESIS SPATIAL DATA MANAGEMENT LTD.

  • XplorTOWN: award winning GPS technology application to promote sustainable economic growth in high streets

    Data Duopoly is on a mission to creatively revolutionise the visitor experience in towns and cities, to celebrate independent shops, creative events and cultural hubs on the high street. We solve the issue of visitors an...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: DATA DUOPOLY LTD

  • University of Southampton and Align-Alytics Limited KTP 24_25 R2

    To help UK Holiday Parks and Global Tour Operators to improve commercial performance, through the provision of a scalable Revenue Management System that combines new and advanced analytics techniques....

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON