London scoping - ukcip

7.9 Tourism and Leisure
Final Report
186
7.9.1 Context
Tourists visiting London from elsewhere in the UK account for approximately 10% of total UK
domestic tourism (ONS 2001). London is by far the most popular UK destination for overseas
tourists, however, accounting for just over half of all overseas tourists and associated
expenditure. In 1998, 13.5 million overseas tourists travelled to London. The domestic tourists
bring in just over £1 billion, but the overseas tourists contribute nearly £7 billion to the London
economy (ONS 2001). Hotels and restaurants comprise 5.8% of London’s GDP.
London has an impressive set of facilities and attractions for tourists including the following
(LTB at www.englishtourism.org.uk 2002):
1200 hotels (269 of which are of historical interest);
12,155 restuarants;
5,245 pubs and bars;
200 museums;
108 theatres.
7.9.2 Flooding and Rainfall Intensity Impacts
Sports and recreational fishing could suffer in dry summers;
There may be insufficient water to maintain inland canal navigation. This could
also effect the attractiveness of canal-side commercial and residential
developments;
Increased likelihood of algal blooms on watercourses with aesthetic and health
implications.
7.9.3 Temperature Change Impacts
There is a high degree of uncertainty as to what the net effect of climate change is likely to be
on Tourism in London but the principal arguments are:
Southern Europe and other destinations might become less attractive as a
destination for summer holidays since climate change there will result in
intolerable hot temperatures. More summer holidays will therefore be taken
domestically, with time spent in London being one component of such a holiday.
A recent study, (Agnew and Viner, 2000), has identified potential impacts of
climate change on ten overseas holiday destinations. The threats of these
predominantly negative effects (examples of which are shown in Table 7.9 below)
will strengthen the argument above.