West Midlands Hits Record Forteen Billion Gbp In Tourism Spend In 2024: A Milestone For Visitors And Local Economy

Published on October 9, 2025

The West Midlands has achieved a landmark milestone successful tourism, pinch a grounds 101.5 cardinal visitors arriving successful 2024, according to nan latest study from Global Tourism Solutions. Not only did nan region surpass nan 100 cardinal visitors people for nan first time, but nan tourism system besides saw a record £14 billion spent by travelers, reflecting a 7% increase from nan erstwhile year. This accomplishment underscores nan region’s increasing entreaty and its important domiciled successful driving nan UK’s visitor economy.

A Historic Year for West Midlands Tourism

The report, commissioned by nan West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), which includes nan awesome municipality centers of Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Solihull, and nan Black Country, reveals that nan region’s tourism maturation has been peculiarly impressive. In 2024, nan number of visitors accrued by 2.84 million compared to nan erstwhile year, and location was a six cardinal rise successful visitors compared to 2022 erstwhile Birmingham hosted nan Commonwealth Games.

Richard Parker, Mayor of nan West Midlands, expressed that nan surge successful visitors was a nonstop consequence of nan area’s rich | history, architecture, attractions, and its “world-class” venues. He highlighted really a increasing visitant system translates into more jobs and economic benefits, further strengthening nan region’s position arsenic a cardinal tourism destination successful nan UK.

Major Events Driving Growth successful Visitor Numbers

Several high-profile events contributed importantly to nan tourism boom successful nan West Midlands. For instance, Aston Villa’s awesome tally successful nan Champions League helped tie successful shot fans from crossed nan globe, while nan 200th day of Cadbury added a touch of nostalgia and ceremony to nan region’s taste landscape.

Additionally, large-scale concerts and taste events boosted nan section economy. Performances by internationally renowned artists for illustration Bryan Adams and Sean Paul astatine nan CBS Arena successful Coventry attracted thousands of visitors. These events were instrumental successful raising nan floor plan of nan West Midlands arsenic a hub for entertainment, attracting a divers crowd of visitors and supporting nan region’s increasing estimation for taste events.

Katie Trout from nan West Midlands Growth Company praised nan region’s tourism and hospitality sectors for their difficult activity successful ensuring these awesome events were successfully executed. She highlighted that leisure tourism and visitor spend successful activities specified arsenic concerts, taste events, and sporting fixtures were important to nan region’s success.

The Economic Impact of Increased Tourism

The economical benefits of nan record £14 billion successful tourism walk cannot beryllium overstated. This important magnitude of money has had a nonstop affirmative effect connected various sectors, from hotels and restaurants to retail and transportation services. The section system has seen important maturation owed to nan influx of some domestic and world tourists, and it has created thousands of caller jobs successful sectors related to tourism, hospitality, and transportation.

For business travelers, nan region’s expanding tourism infrastructure besides makes nan West Midlands a much charismatic destination for firm events, conferences, and meetings. The continued improvement of business hotels, conference venues, and nan description of transport options lend to making nan West Midlands a much accessible and viable action for world business engagements.

Visitor Attractions: Beyond nan Oysters and nan Football

While awesome events person driven visitant numbers, nan West Midlands besides boasts a wealthiness of taste and humanities attractions that proceed to tie group year-round. Visitors tin research nan Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Coventry Cathedral, and Wolverhampton’s New Art Gallery, among different renowned spots. The Black Country Living Museum provides a glimpse into nan region’s business past, while Canal Walks successful Birmingham connection tranquil spaces for visitors looking to unwind aft a engaged day.

For nutrient enthusiasts, nan West Midlands offers an breathtaking culinary scene, including accepted British fare arsenic good arsenic a operation of global cuisines. The region’s restaurants, cafes, and local nutrient festivals pull those looking to acquisition authentic section dishes, often made from locally originated ingredients. The rich | cultural heritage of nan area, mixed pinch its modern attractions, makes it a divers and fascinating destination.

Quick Tips for Travelers to nan West Midlands

1. Book Early for Popular Events: With a rising number of visitors, booking tickets for awesome events and concerts good successful beforehand is recommended to debar sold-out situations.
2. Consider Multi-Day Itineraries: There’s a batch to research successful nan West Midlands—from Birmingham’s Bullring shopping to Wolverhampton’s creation galleries—so scheme for astatine slightest a mates of days to get nan astir retired of your visit.
3. Stay Updated connected Local News: Keep an oculus connected section tourism websites for event schedules, transport updates, and immoderate typical offers for tourists, particularly during high-demand seasons.
4. Explore nan Region by Train: The West Midlands benefits from fantabulous train connections. Consider utilizing nan West Midlands Railway web to research Birmingham, Coventry, and Wolverhampton.
5. Travel Insurance: With truthful galore events and activities, recreation security is simply a bully action to screen flight cancellations, event changes, aliases different unexpected disruptions.

Key Points to Remember

• 101.5 cardinal visitors came to nan West Midlands successful 2024, pinch a 7% increase successful tourist spending.
• Major events for illustration Aston Villa’s Champions League capacity and Cadbury’s day were cardinal contributors to nan tourism boost.
• Tourism spending reached £14 billion, benefiting sectors for illustration hospitality, retail, and transportation.
• Cultural attractions for illustration Birmingham’s museums and Wolverhampton’s galleries are important draws for world tourists.
• The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) continues to play a cardinal domiciled successful supporting tourism and local businesses done initiatives and promotions.

Source: BBC News