The Tourism Alliance, the trade association for the tourism industry, has welcomed the announcement that Universal is committed to moving forward with its plans for a new theme park and resort in Bedford to open in 2031.

Richard Toomer, Executive Director of the Tourism Alliance said,

“Universal expects that this project will bring £50 billion to the UK economy and 8.5m visitors by 2055. This is a demonstration of the importance that tourism has and will continue to play in delivering economic growth, and of the value such a global leader as Comcast NBCUniversal see in the UK as a place to invest.

“The whole tourism ecosystem in Bedfordshire and far beyond will benefit from this new and exciting project. Visitors to the park will hopefully also get a chance to see our stunning historic houses, beautiful landscapes, amazing coastline, vibrant cities, and cultural sites, along with the world-class exhilarating rides and attractions they’ll experience at Universal.

“Congratulations to everyone who worked hard to get this important decision over the line.”

NOTES

Government press release.

Universal press release.

Published: 9 April 2025

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