Cheltenham’s visitor economy is a key driver of the town’s growth and vibrancy, attracting a diverse range of tourists year-round. Renowned for its cultural festivals, historic architecture, and scenic landscapes, Cheltenham is a top destination for both leisure and business travel.
Since 2014, the value of the visitor economy has grown by 23%, with an estimated GVA of £131.9 million, while tourism-related employment has remained steady at around 5% of the town’s workforce.
2023 Visitor Economy – Volume & Value – Cheltenham
Visitor Numbers
- 2,069,700 visitors to Cheltenham – a 5% increase on 2022.
- 1,702,000 day visitors.
- 367,700 staying visitors.
- 1,066,000 staying nights spent in Cheltenham.
Visitor Spending
- Visitors spent a total of £183,760,000 – a 12% increase on 2022.
- Day visitors spent £89,208,000, an average of £52 per visitor.
- Staying visitors spent £86,832,000, an average of £236 per visitor.
Economy and Jobs
Total jobs (estimate) = 3,075
Percentage of all local employment = 5%.
2024 Visitor Economy – Volume & Value – Gloucestershire
About the data
Volume and value data have been calculated using the Cambridge Economic Impact Model undertaken by The South West Research Company.
The model utilises information from a range of national tourism surveys along with local and regional data. It distributes regional activity as measured in those surveys to local areas using ‘drivers’ such as the accommodation stock and occupancy which influence the distribution of tourism activity at local level.
The methodology and accuracy of these sources varies, and therefore the estimates can only be regarded as indicative of the scale and importance of visitor activity in the local area
Marketing Cheltenham 