A spokesperson for ZSL told the BBC that the past year had been particularly challenging for UK tourism and the global conservation sector.
They added that the organisation had also been affected by the increase in employer National Insurance contributions earlier this year.
The spokesperson said: “ZSL, whose income is partially generated by visitors to its zoos, has seen the impact of decreased consumer confidence on visitor behaviour, with guests spending less this summer.”
They pointed to the Great Britain Tourism Survey, which found domestic tourism was down by 8% in spring 2025 compared with the previous year. The decline was attributed to “increased cost-of-living and weaker consumer confidence” in the UK economy.
London Zoo – which celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2026 – also felt the impact of the Covid pandemic.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 