European bikers shun UK

The UK economy is being deprived of around £30m a week as European bikers shun the UK as a tourist destination.

Statistics produced by the MCI show 100,000 British bikers travel to Europe on holiday, while only 23,000 European riders visit the UK every year.

According to the MCI’s analysis, if UK tourist businesses could attract the same number of bikers to the UK as leave for holidays abroad, more than £30 million pounds per week could be generated.

British bikers are already a lucrative market for UK businesses as they contribute nearly £400 million to UK tourism.

MCI Spokesperson, Sheila Rainger said: “We are currently attracting a very low percentage of European riders. If we could attract the same number of bikers to the UK as leave the UK for holidays the industry could potentially generate over £30 million in income for every week they spent on holiday in the UK.

“Holidaying by bike is an excellent way of seeing more of the UK’s tourist attractions and stunning scenery at your own convenience.  It contributes a significant amount to local and national tourism and now is a good time for the UK to try and open this up to markets further afield.”