The three months between February and April saw the highest ever recorded number of overseas visitors coming to the UK, latest government statistics have shown.
Six million international visitors came to the UK in the period, up by 20% on the same point last year, with the growth fuelled by visitors from North America finally returning to these shores, as well as increasing numbers coming from Europe.
During the three months, there were 900,000 visitors from North America, up by 21%, 4.2 million from Western Europe, again up by 21%, and 860,000 from the rest of the world, ahead by 12%.
Taking April by itself, a total of 2.26 million visitors arrived (by 23%), with 350,000 from North America (up by 41%), 1.59 million from Western Europe (up by 19%) and 320,000 from the rest of the world (up by 26%).
Tom Wright, chief executive of tourist board VisitBritain, said the figures showed the industry was recovering after the ravages of last year.
by Nic Paton
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