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Likely impact on tourist activity in the UK of adopting SDST

A cursory examination of the times of sunrise and sunset throughout the year set against the typical pattern of daily life outside sleeping hours reveals the considerable scope for a better matching of daylight with waking hours than we have at present (the GMT/BST clock). Research undertaken at Policy Studies Institute (PSI) has shown that putting clocks ahead of the current setting by an additional hour in summer and in winter (the SDST clock) would deliver wide benefits for society.

Notable among these, and set out in detail in PSI reports published in 1988 (Making the most of daylight hours) and 1993 (Time for Change: setting clocks forward by one hour throughout the year), would be a significant overall reduction in road casualties; a marked improvement in the convenience of travel, trading and communications with the majority of countries in Central and Western Europe; and savings in electricity costs. In addition, the consensus of medical opinion is that the promotion of outdoor activity, which ‘more accessible’ daylight (and sunlight) facilitates, would be highly advantageous for public health and for enhancing the quality of life. Recognition of these benefits has been regularly confirmed in public opinion polls. The most recent survey conducted by Gallup in 2006 recorded 86% of respondents supporting the proposed clock change.

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A Report for the Tourist Alliance by Dr Mayer Hillman

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