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VisitBritain Targets India to Drive UK Tourism Growth Beyond London
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Storyboard•18-10-2026, 10:23
VisitBritain Targets India to Drive UK Tourism Growth Beyond London
- •VisitBritain forecasts 597,000 visits from India to the UK in 2026, generating £865 million in spending, with numbers expected to reach 960,000 visits and £1.5 billion by 2030.
- •The tourism board is promoting regional destinations like Manchester, Liverpool, and the Lake District to encourage longer stays and shift the focus from traditional sightseeing to immersive experiences.
- •Screen tourism is a major strategy, leveraging Indian interest in filming locations for Harry Potter, Pride and Prejudice, and The Batman found across Northern England.
- •VisitBritain is placing a strong emphasis on the resilient premium travel segment and leveraging the fact that average Indian visitors stay in Britain for 28 days.
- •Enhanced flight connectivity, including services to regional hubs like Manchester, and continued collaboration with trusted travel advisers remain key to supporting this growth.
Key Questions Answered
VisitBritain forecasts around 960,000 visits and £1.5 billion in spending from India by 2030, representing a 71% increase in market value.
The average Indian visitor stays in Britain for about 28 days, which is significantly longer than the global average of approximately seven days.
While AI tools like Claude help travellers discover recommendations, users still lack trust to book directly through them. Consequently, trusted travel advisers remain vital for crafting personalised itineraries and accessing lesser-known regional experiences.
