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Official statistics show a record June for the number of overseas visits to the UK. There were a record 3.5 million visits to the UK in June, up 7% on the same month last year. Overseas visitors spent £2.2 billion in June, up 2% compared to the same month last year.
There was strong growth from North America in June with 650,000 visits, up 35% on the same month last year.
It brings the overall number of overseas visits to the UK for January to June this year to a record-breaking 19.1 million and up 9% compared to the same period in 2016. Overseas visitors spent a record £10.6 billion, up 11% on 2016.
VisitBritain Director Patricia Yates said: “Tourism is one of Britain’s most valuable export industries and this continued growth demonstrates the industry’s increasing importance as a key driver of economic growth across our nations and regions.
“The tourism industry is making a compelling case to be one of the industries included in the government’s industrial strategy to ensure Britain continues to compete globally. We have already revised our forecast upwards for 2017.”
Latest flight booking data from ForwardKeys shows that bookings for international arrivals to the UK from August to October are up 9% on the same period last year. Considering specific markets, bookings from China are up 20% and the US up 23%.
VisitBritain is promoting Britain internationally thought its global #OMGB (Oh My GREAT Britain) ‘Home of Amazing Moments’ marketing campaign to showcase experiences that visitors can only have here.
Last year set a record for inbound tourism to Britain on visits and spend with 37.6 million visits, up 4% on 2015 with visitors spending £22.5 billion, up 2%.
Tourism is worth £127 billion annually to the UK economy, creating jobs and boosting economic growth across its nations and regions.
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