Increasing numbers of tourists are flocking to the UK, according to a National Statistics Office survey.

Its International Passenger Report found that overseas visitors to our shores increased by 3% in the first quarter of 2005, compared with the seasonally adjusted figures for the preceding three-month period.

Visitor numbers reached 7.5 million between January and March – a 12% increase on the same period last year.

Money spent by tourists fell by 1% compared with the seasonally adjusted figures for the previous quarter, dipping to £3.46b.

However, in the year to March 2005, spending jumped by 11%, compared with the previous 12 months.

The boost in numbers was driven by an 11% increase in visitors from Western Europe, a 5% rise in American tourists and a 21% leap in business from the rest of the world.

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