It is difficult for VisitBritain to promote the many events that will take place across the Channel when the conditions of access to the country are increasingly complicated. Since November 30, 2021, all vaccinated visitors arriving in the United Kingdom will be required to isolate themselves upon arrival and carry out a PCR test by the second day of their stay.
Visitors will be required to continue to isolate themselves at their place of stay until they receive a negative result. Those who test positive will have to isolate themselves for 10 days.
Travel associations project that the foreign visitor numbers will be down 75% by Christmas, compared to the data from 2019. The reason for the fall is the current Omicron variant and the new restrictions in effect. On average, tourism businesses expect their revenue for 2021 to be 93% lower compared to 2019.
A Busy Schedule in 2022
The many important events planned for the coming year are expected to boost UK tourism and its revenues. However, travel stakeholders are uncertain about any developments.
Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee will celebrate 70 years of her reign. The festivities will take place throughout 2022 in the country, in the Commonwealth and around the world.
Event: Unboxed: Creativity in the UK will take place across the country from March 1 to October 2, 2022 and is expected to reach and engage millions of people. The event will feature large-scale free events, installations and digital experiences that are accessible worldwide. Ten major multi-site creative and digital projects have been selected.
1900th Anniversary of the Beginning of the Construction of Hadrian's Wall
Classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, Hadrian's Wall crosses the north of England from east to west, over 117 kilometers, from the banks of the Tyne at Newcastle to the Solway Firth in the Irish Sea. In 2022, Hadrian's Wall Partnership will host a festival from January 24 to December 23, 2022. The program will feature many events and activities throughout the year.
Commonwealth Games
The 2022 Commonwealth Games, commonly known as Birmingham 2022, are yet another highly important event. It is an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth that is scheduled to be held in Birmingham. The Games are expected to take place between 28 July and 8 August 2022.