Number of overseas visitors to Britain is rising, reveals VisitBritain

Overseas visitors to the UK flocked in at increased numbers during the last quarter, VisitBritain has announced.

The national tourism agency today revealed the findings of its International Passenger survey, which found that in the three months to May, overseas residents made 7.8 million visits to the UK and spent just under £4b.

The number of visits amounts to an increase of 11% compared with the same period last year, while spend rose by 7%.

The number of visits from North America, the highest inbound spenders in the UK, increased 15% from 2010, while visits from Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia were the highest seen in a May so far at 390,000 and up by 22%.

Visitors from the EU15 countries (nations who were members of the European Union before the 2004 expansion) grew by 6% with visits from European Accession countries up 5%.

Patricia Yates, VisitBritain director of strategy and communications, said these new figures show real signs of growth for British tourism.

"Nearly 8 million international tourists have come to Britain in the last three months, which saw spending levels in the country rise by 7%," she said.

"As we start to roll out our marketing programme we can see that Britain is recovering its international appeal."

London hotels soar ahead in second quarter after challenging first quarter of 2011 >>

Royal Wedding was disappointing for London hotels >>

Jamie Oliver stars in VisitBritain ad campaign >>

By Kerstin Kühn

E-mail your comments to Kerstin Kühn here.

If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.caterersearch.com/tabletalk

Caterersearch.com jobs

Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Caterersearch.com jobs