The manufacturing sector provides more than one-third of all international business travellers to Manchester.
A survey of international corporate travellers arriving at Manchester airport showed that 35 per cent were from manufacturing businesses.
This was followed by 11 per cent who worked in the healthcare and life science industries and a further 8 per cent from the telecoms, media and technology sectors, according to the research carried out by business adviser Deloitte.
Jo Ahmed, from Deloitte’s global employer services in the north west, said: “The north west is a hotbed of manufacturing expertise. We have a fantastic and long-standing track record in the sector and it is extremely encouraging that activity in the region and links with overseas is high.
“We are seeing a real convergence of medical and creative sectors in the region too, which is leading to some really exciting product development, carving the region’s reputation as a front-runner in the digital health space.”
The survey also showed that two-thirds of international business travellers arriving at Manchester airport stayed in the north west during their visit, while 16 per cent went to Yorkshire and 4 per cent went to either the north east and east Midlands.
Roger Westerbeek, head of customer relationship management for Manchester Airports Group (MAG), added: “Manchester airport is a global gateway which not only serves the north west, but the whole of northern England and areas of Scotland.
“I’m encouraged that both established and emerging sectors are bringing in international business visitors and we’re confident that the completion of Airport City will lead to a further increase in the volume of traffic.”
manchesterairport.co.uk