The Value of Tourism in the Harborough District

The Number of Visitors

There were 2.789 million visitors to the Harborough district in 2019.

This number decreased by 62% to 1.053 million in 2020.

It can be assumed this drop was caused by the pandemic, as non-essential travel was not permitted during some periods of restrictions.

Before 2020, visitor numbers had increased every year since 2012.

The Number of Staying Visitors

There were 285,900 staying visitors in 2019. Out of these visitors:

  • 110,100 stayed in serviced accommodation
  • 20,000 stayed in non-serviced accommodation
  • 155,800 stayed with friends or relatives.

The total number of staying visitors decreased by 61% in 2020 to 110, 400. Out of these visitor:

  • 34,500 stayed in serviced accommodation
  • 10,500 stayed in non-serviced accommodation
  • 65,500 stayed with friends or relatives

It can be assumed the decrease was caused by the pandemic, because in some periods of restrictions overnight stays and non-essential travel was not permitted.

The number of full time jobs supported directly and indirectly by tourism

In 2019 tourism supported 1837 full time jobs across the Harborough district.

In 2020 this decreased by 58% to 760. This data does not include those jobs maintained by the furlough scheme, because they are supported by the government and not tourism. Most of the jobs in the sector are in shopping and food and drink businesses. A large proportion of the jobs are also in accommodation and recreation businesses, with the least being in transport.

As visitor numbers increase, more jobs should be supported by tourism. The economic development team can also support businesses and individuals with recruitment and skills through Harborough Jobs.

The Economic Impact

The tourism sector brought in £149.91 million to the Harborough District in 2019.

In 2020, this decreased by 60% to £59.14 million.

Before 2020, the economic impact of tourism increased every year since 2013, by an average of 5%.

See below for the sector distribution of the economic impact.

The Sector Distribution of Spend in 2019

This shows the spread of the economic impact across different sectors in 2019

We can also look at the economic impact of the different visitor types:

  • Visitors staying in serviced accommodation: £28 million
  • Visitors stay in non-serviced accommodation: £8.39 million
  • Visitors staying with friends and relatives: £18.56 million
  • Day Visitors: £94.96 million

The Sector Distribution of Spend in 2020

This shows the spread of the economic impact across different sectors in 2020.

We can also look at the economic impact of the different visitor types:

  • Visitors staying in serviced accommodation: £8.7 million
  • Visitors stay in non-serviced accommodation: £4.58 million
  • Visitors staying with friends and relatives: £8.20 million
  • Day Visitors: £37.66 million

Recovery

The aim is to support the recovery of the sector. This will be done by:

  • Providing businesses 1-2-1 support
  • Promoting the District as a destination to a wide audience
  • Creating and sharing a Visit Harborough District video to attract visitors
  • Distributing a new Visit Harborough District leaflet within the District, surrounding areas and further afield across the country
  • Working with Leicestershire County Council to deliver the Leicestershire Tourism Growth Plan
  • Supporting the government’s Tourism Recovery Plan
  • Developing information points across the District to increase the dwell time of visitors, and therefore the economic impact
  • Encouraging joint working between businesses to create attractive packages for visitors
  • Inspiring new business start ups in the sector or business diversification
  • Continuing to support Visit Britain’s Good to go scheme

Recovery

You can help the local tourism sector to recover!

  • Visit and use local businesses in the sector
  • Like, share and tag businesses on social media
  • Tell your friends and family who do not live in the area about how great it is! Encourage them to visit and experience your favourite things to do in the District.