Page last updated: 07 October 2024
Oxford, the popular ‘City of Dreaming Spires,‘ is known for its rich history, prestigious universities, and remarkable architecture.
How many tourists visit Oxford each year?
Over 7 million tourists visit Oxford annually, including both day-trippers and overnight visitors.1
- In 2019, Oxford welcomed 581,000 international visitors.
- However, due to travel restrictions and the closure of borders, this number dropped to 73,000 international visitors in 2021.
- Oxford began recovering in 2022, welcoming over 425,000 international visitors, which was an increase from the previous year but still 27% lower than 2019’s figure.
- Oxford welcomed 450,000 international visitors in 2023.2
The IPS was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in no tourism data for Oxford from April to December 2020. Available data for that period is based on models.
How many tourists visited Oxford in 2023?
In 2023, Oxford welcomed approximately 450,000 international visitors, reflecting a 5.9% increase from the 425,000 international visitors in 2022.
- However, this number remained 22.5% lower compared to the pre-pandemic peak of 581,000 international visitors in 2019.
How many tourists visited Oxford in 2022?
Oxford welcomed over 425,000 international visitors in 2022, indicating a 482% increase compared to the previous year but still 27% less than in 2019 (pre-pandemic).
- The total number of nights spent by international tourists in 2022 was estimated at over 3.23 million, which increased by 66.98% from 2021.
How much do tourists spend in Oxford each year?
Tourism in Oxford generates £780 million annually from millions of visitors spending directly at local businesses.
- In 2019, international visitors spent over £371 million in direct tourism expenditure.
- During the pandemic, Oxford’s tourism revenue dropped to £53 million in 2021, reflecting an 86% decrease compared to the previous year.
- In 2022, Oxford saw a recovery with £313 million in tourism expenditure, marking a 491% increase from the previous year but still 16% lower than pre-pandemic levels.
The IPS was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in no tourism data for Oxford from April to December 2020. Available data for that period is based on models.
How much did tourists spend in Oxford in 2022?
In 2022, Oxford generated £313 million in tourism expenditure. This was a 491% increase compared to the previous year but still 16% less than 2019.
- The average spend per visit for international tourists was £737 in 2022, which was an increase of 1.22% from 2021 and 15.34% when compared to 2019.
- Oxford ranked 7th in the UK by tourism spending in 2022, earning £313 million from international visitors.
Who visits Oxford the most?
The United States, France, and Germany consistently rank as the primary sources of international visitors to the UK, where Oxford is located.3
- In 2023, the US remained the leading source of visitors, accounting for 5.1 million visits, followed by France with 3.2 million, Germany with 3 million, Ireland with 2.9 million, and Spain with 2.2 million.
Why do tourists visit Oxford?
- Visiting friends and relatives remained the number one reason for international visitors to Oxford in 2022, with 150,000 visits, or 35.29% of total visits.
- This represented a 257% increase compared to the previous year and was 3% higher than in 2019 (pre-pandemic year).
- This represented a 257% increase compared to the previous year and was 3% higher than in 2019 (pre-pandemic year).
- Holiday trips were the second most common reason, with 146,000 visits, accounting for 34.35% of all Oxford visits in 2022.
- This was a 123% increase compared to the previous year, but it was still 39% less than in 2019.
- This was a 123% increase compared to the previous year, but it was still 39% less than in 2019.
- In 2022, 95,000 visits to Oxford were for business reasons (22.35% of total visits).
- This reflected a 631% increase compared to the previous year, though still 33% less than in 2019.
- This reflected a 631% increase compared to the previous year, though still 33% less than in 2019.
- Study-related visits accounted for 5.18% of all visits in 2022 (22,000 international visits).
- This marked a 450% increase compared to the previous year but remains 66% less than in 2019.
- This marked a 450% increase compared to the previous year but remains 66% less than in 2019.
- Oxford also saw visits for miscellaneous purposes, with 13,000 visits in 2022, representing 3.06% of total visits. These include trips for sporting events, shopping, health-related reasons, religious purposes, and more.
- This number indicated a 333% increase compared to the previous year but was still 38% less than in 2019.
How long do international tourists typically stay in Oxford?
- 2022: International visitors stayed for an average of 8 nights in Oxford.
- 2021: International visitors stayed for an average of 15 nights in Oxford.
- 2019: International visitors stayed for an average of 7 nights in Oxford.
How popular is Oxford as a tourist destination?
- In 2022, Oxford was ranked 9th among the most popular destinations in the UK for international visitors.
UK Travel Resources
Top Attractions in Oxford
- University of Oxford: Known for its historic buildings, tranquil gardens, and notable libraries, the university attracts over 2 million visitors annually.
- Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology: The UK’s first public museum, home to collections spanning 500,000 years of art, history, and archaeology, attracts more than 900,000 visitors annually.
- Oxford University Museum of Natural History: Featuring natural artefacts from Oxford University, this museum has more than 750,000 annual visitors.
- Bodleian Library: The second-largest library in the UK, after the British Library, and a key cultural destination in Oxford. It welcomes over 500,000 visitors each year.
- Pitt Rivers Museum: Showcasing anthropological and archaeological collections, this museum receives over 400,000 visitors per year.
How far is Oxford from London?
- Oxford is 58.3 miles away from London, it takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to drive via the M40, depending on traffic.
Where is Oxford University?
Oxford University is one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world and is considered as one of the world’s leading academic institutions.
- Located in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, about 50 miles north-northwest of London, along the upper course of the River Thames.
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