UKinbound has revealed that 82 per cent of its members believe that staying in the EU is important to their business.

The organisation is one of the leading trade associations, representing 350 members of the travel and tourism industry in Britain.

The announcement, made at UKinbound’s Annual Convention, follows prime minister David Cameron’s recent request to the business community to share their views on EU membership.

Addressing the matter, Mark McVay, chairman at UKinbound commented: “Our member survey findings highlight overwhelming support for Britain to remain in the EU.

“This shouldn’t come as a surprise as the EU is an extremely important source market for tourism.

“It is important to our country’s economy that we make it as easy as possible for people to travel here, not isolate ourselves from the market which collectively brought two-thirds of our visitors in 2015.”

Hailed as one of the leading contributors to the economy, overseas visitor spending in the UK contributed £22 billion last year with each inbound visitor subsidising an additional £630 in export earnings and bestowing £216 to the exchequer - statistics which UKinbound highlight as a pivotal role in which inbound tourism plays within the economy.

UKinbound chief executive, Deirdre Wells added: “We are fortunate to have a major market – the EU – right here on our doorstep.

“Our members have been welcoming visitors from our European neighbours for decades.

“They bring much needed revenue to the UK, creating valuable jobs for the UK economy. 

“We need to continue to do all we can to attract more visitors to the UK – and saying “yes” to staying in the EU sends a clear message that we are open for business.”

Wells continued: “At a time when we have no decision on an additional runway, fluctuating exchange rates and proposed visa fee increases, now more than ever we need the government to acknowledge, build and commit to our inbound tourism industry which generates billions for the economy and accounts for almost one in ten jobs across the UK.”