Independent research by KPMG highlights the significant economic benefits of Britain’s coach sector, supporting 81,000 jobs and generating £6.4 billion annually. The sector facilitates 450 million journeys, equivalent to 40% of rail travel, contributing extensively to local economies, particularly in rural areas and regions with limited rail services.
New independent research shows the coach sector delivers vital economic benefits to towns, cities and tourist destinations across Britain according to independent research commissioned by the Confederation of Passenger Transport.
- Just one additional coach every day can deliver £1 million of economic value annually to a destination
- The coach industry in Britain supports 81,000 jobs, generating £6.4 billion of economic value through employment
- Coaches provide 450 million journeys a year in Britain – equivalent to 40% of all journeys taken by rail
The Economic Impact of Coach Services research by KPMG sets out to quantify the financial benefits of coach services to the British economy – including direct impacts for passengers and operators, and additional benefits that arise for supply chains, commerce and communities.
Launching the research in Blackpool just one day before the start of two major tourist events – the Lightpool and Sequence Dance Festivals – CPT’s CEO Graham Vidler said, “This new research shows that towns or destinations that can welcome one extra coach every day could bring up to £1 million a year into their local economy. To reap these benefits every city, town and tourist destination must plan for coach, so they offer adequate coach parking and good facilities for both passengers and coach drivers as part of their sustainable travel and tourism strategy”.
The research reveals that across Britain coaches facilitate 450 million journeys each year and coach passengers spend £8.3 billion every year in local economies.
- Around £ 2.3 billion comes from passenger spending on leisure and shopping trips.
- Day-trippers using coaches spend £3.5 billion per year.
- Domestic coach passengers who stay overnight at their destination add £1.9 billion to the economy annually.
- International tourists travelling by coach spend over £600m
Furthermore, the coach industry is a substantial employer, with high concentrations of jobs in areas such as Cornwall, the Scottish Highlands and mid-Wales which are particularly reliant on coach connections to reach major hubs.
Some 54,000 people are employed directly in the industry – including drivers, mechanics, operations managers and customer service representatives. The industry supports a further 27,000 jobs in its supply chain. Collectively, these jobs contribute £6.4 billion to the economy.
The research was launched in Blackpool on the same day the city was re-awarded its CPT Coach Friendly status. This award recognises the efforts made by Blackpool Council to create the right conditions for coaches to operate and to encourage more coach tourism.
The coach sector’s contribution is particularly pronounced in parts of the country with rural populations, and in parts of the country with less extensive rail services. For example, the coach sector’s employment and supply chain is worth over £425 million in Wales and £640 million in Scotland.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
