Published on : Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Spending increased six percent countywide, taking the total paid out to £2.17 billion, with greatest proportion invested in Oxford – 40 percent.
In Oxford spending is up five percent, with visitors splashing out over £800m.
To quote city council leader Susan Brown, “I’m encouraged by the overall increase in visitor spend in Oxford in particular, up by approximately five per cent to over £800m.”
The study disclosed that the county greeted around 30 million visitors during 2017, which supported almost 37,000 jobs.
The boost marks the fourth consecutive year of growth, and with 19 million shoppers visiting the Westgate Centre in the first year after inaugurating in last year, the total spend is anticipated to rise again in 2018.
So what is it about Oxfordshire? We went out to talk to tourists in Oxford
Previous month, it appeared that footfall in the city centre increased nine per cent since the Westgate opened.
Experience Oxfordshire marketing manager Antonio Ferrara said: “We think the opening of the new Westgate Centre is another reason for people to come to Oxford.
“The city is now a much better shopping destination and the Westgate, which has the new rooftop terrace, is also a great place to eat out.”
Hayley Beer-Gamage, chief executive of the tourism organization, stated that the increase supported the ‘destination strategy’ of amplifying the length of stay, and drawing more overnight international visitors to Oxfordshire. She added: “This is the fourth consecutive year of growth in the visitor economy, and Experience Oxfordshire works hard to ensure that we are attracting the right types of visitor to the city and county.”
Graham Jones, a spokesman for traders’ group ROX – Promoting Oxford Businesses, said: “Any increase is very encouraging but I think visitor spending figures for 2018 will present a truer picture, as they will properly take into account the Westgate effect. I’ve noticed an increase in Chinese and Japanese visitors.”
Tags: oxfordshire