Visitor numbers up for second year running
Latest figures show that visitor numbers to Dudley borough were up for the second year in a row, with the visitor economy now worth £447million.
Following a STEAM survey carried out by the West Midlands Growth Company this year, the results show that there were 9.6 million visitors to Dudley borough in 2023, that’s an extra 200,000 visitors compared to 2022.
It means the value of Dudley’s visitor economy is now a staggering £447 million, up 11.3 percent on last year.
The majority of visitors in 2023 came for the day to either visit friends or family or one of the top tourism attractions in the borough, including Dudley Zoo and Castle, the Black Country Living Museum and the Red House Glass Cone.
The stats also show there has been a boost to jobs in the tourism trade, with 4,521 jobs now available, which is an increase of more than 200.
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said:
When the STEAM survey results for 2022 were released last year, it was really encouraging to see visitor numbers had exceeded pre-pandemic levels. We credited some of that success to hosting Commonwealth Games events along with other huge outdoor events and the fantastic offer from visitor attractions across the borough.
Now, another year on it’s fantastic that we have been able to maintain and exceed visitor figures once again. It just demonstrates the value of what we have to offer across Dudley borough. I’m incredibly proud of this and welcome the significant boost to our local visitor economy, which helps keep thousands of people in work.
We will continue to beat the drum that Dudley borough is a great place to live, work and visit and look forward to welcoming millions of visitors in the future.
When the new Metro extension is complete, we hope that will also boost visitor numbers as a new and alternative way to get to the borough.
For information on places to visit and things to see and do in the borough, visit www.discoverdudley.org.uk