Tourism and Hotel Business in the UK

The UK is one of the most economically progressive states in the world. It leads in the area of science and technology, as early as the time of Sir Isaac Newton and Henry Cavendish. It is a master of engineering, one of the leading factors that make the UK highly urbanized and technological.

In 2006, it became the fifteenth biggest producer of energy, and in 2003, its manufacturing industry constituted 16 percent of UK’s national output.

Through the years, though, one industry has contributed greatly to its economy and has made thousands of both locals and foreigners happy: tourism.

Hotel Business in the UK

Luxury hotels and city hotels were never really a hit in the UK during the early years of its tourism. Before 1800s, there were only a handful of recognized hotels in cities such as London. A lot of travelers preferred to stay in coaching inns or lodging houses, which were being sublet. This could be because there were only very few business travelers.

However, as the UK kept up with the rest of the world economically, the number of hotel accommodation choices increased. By 1906, one of the oldest luxury hotels, the Ritz, was opened.

Today, UK hotels—from city hotels to hotel resorts—can accommodate as many as 2.5 million people.

Types of Hotels Accommodation

UK hotels are classified according to their stars. One-star cheap hotels are equipped with private rooms with ensuite. Two-star accommodation choices, meanwhile, offer dinners to guests. The three-star rooms come with an ensuite, and guests can choose room service. The four- and five-star hotels are the most expensive, yet they offer the most comprehensive services and facilities.

Hotels are also available in different designs. A lot of the city hotels are converted or restored old buildings, though there are new ones with a more contemporary look. You can also find boutique hotels with uniquely designed rooms.

Hotels near the airports are also highly profitable, especially those hotels in Gatwick and Heathrow.

And since there are thousands who like to spend a day or two in the coastal areas, the hotel resorts are also sought after.

These hotel accommodation options have become easier to search thanks to business directory and websites that allow travelers to search hotels online. The latter also saves you a lot of time through online hotel booking.

The Challenges of UK Tourism

UK tourism has contributed to as much as 63 billion pounds of indirect income and 52 billion pounds or 4 percent to its GDP. It also has provided over 2 million jobs and promoted the growth of more than 200,000 small businesses.

One of the largest export earners is actually the incoming visitors, who spend close to 16 billion pounds, and by 2020, it’s estimated their spending would increase to as much as 31 billion pounds or 4.4 percent growth each year.

Though it’s doing well in tourism, UK still lags behind other European countries like France, Spain, and Italy. The challenge, therefore, is how to prevent the decline of its global market share and best out other competitors.