The heritage sector is critically important to the UK economy. The country’s natural, historic, and cultural assets draw millions of tourists each year, while thousands are employed to study, protect, and share these assets.

In addition to generating significant economic activity that spills over to the rest of the UK economy, the heritage sector also provides important benefits to individuals and local communities through recreational opportunities, health benefits, and neighbourhood revitalisation.

To better understand the benefits provided by the heritage sector, Alma Economics was commissioned to capture its full impact. We examined the effects of direct spending by heritage industries as well as the impacts through industries that supply heritage businesses, and wages earned by heritage employees.

As part of our economic analysis, we used several key performance indicators including gross value added, employment, purchase of goods and services, number of tourists, and related expenditure.

The evidence base provided by our team helped quantify the intangible benefits provided by the UK’s rich heritage to help inform policies concerning support of the sector.