Following a survey by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) for the Daily Telegraph (Saturday 10 August 2013), they have announced that this summer’s visitor numbers are 22.3% greater than the same period in 2012, 18.3% higher than in 2011, and 21.2% higher than in 2010.
ALVA surveyed their 52 members – who are the UK’s most popular, iconic and important museums, galleries, palaces, castles, cathedrals, zoos, historic houses, heritage sites, gardens and leisure attractions. They comprise over 2,000 tourist sites, hosting over 100 million domestic and overseas visitors each year – around 25% of the visits made annually in the UK.
During the period 1 May until 5 August, the results show that indoor and outdoor attractions have done well across the UK, with gardens, zoos and stately homes successfully reversing last year’s fall in numbers which was due to the wet weather.
Blockbuster exhibitions in London have performed very successfully; ‘David Bowie is..’ at the V&A was in its final week, with all pre-booked tickets sold out and all day tickets sold by late morning, and ‘Life and Death in Pompeii and Herculaneum’ at the British Museum has been hugely popular too.
London‘s attractions, which were greatly affected by the Olympic displacement in July and August 2012, have received, on average, 26% more visitors this summer (so far) than in 2012.
As Bernard Donoghue, Director of ALVA noted: “Summer 2013 is proving to be one of the best for visitor attractions across the UK in recent years. The combination of great weather, Brits choosing to stay at home and enjoy their own country, a relatively weak pound against the Euro and therefore our attractiveness for visitors from Euro countries, is proving to be a recipe for success. There is also clear evidence across the UK that investing in refurbishing museums, galleries and heritage sites attracts records visitors and benefits local economies.”
For further information on ALVA and to download images click here