NEW research shows Coventry’s visitor economy has increased to £495million and the cities tourism is recovering at a ‘much quicker’ rate than the wider region.
At a 103 per cent growth, visitor numbers in Coventry saw a significantly quicker rate of recovery than West Midlands Combined Authority from 2020 to 2021, which showed a 72 per cent increase.
Major events including Coventry’s city of culture year have led to the 2021 visitor economy figures increasing by £265million compared to the previous year.
Destination Coventry commissioned an economic impact report on tourism in the city, and it has been formulated by Global Tourism Solutions using last year’s data including attraction’s footfall, car park usage, and festival and event statistics.
The figures indicate growth across all the tourism sector areas including overall visitor numbers.
The city attracted 8.2million visitors last year, with numbers peaking in July and August as the city of culture year was in full swing and pandemic restrictions were lifted.
And the visitor economy supported almost 5,400 jobs last year, which was up from 2,700 in 2020.
Paul Jones, Managing Director of Destination Coventry, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the rate of recovery that the visitor economy has seen in Coventry and how that has accelerated ahead of some of our neighbouring regions.
“It is easy to forget that at the start of 2021 we were still in Covid-19 restrictions, as a matter of fact the first UK City of Culture event was held when restrictions were still in place.
“So, to have recovered to this extent is excellent and the figures featured in this latest economic impact report are certainly something the tourism sector in Coventry should be proud of.
“We’re expecting another strong set of results for 2022 as the city continues to reap the benefits of City of Culture and other major international events.”
Corin Crane, Chief Executive of Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s been an incredible couple of years for the hospitality and tourism sector in Coventry and these figures prove that.
“In the few months I have been working in the city I am continually impressed with the strength and innovation of businesses we have in the sector.
“Events such as City of Culture have set the foundations for success here in Coventry and now it’s up to us to capitalise and keep that momentum going.”
