UK registers record number of foreign visitors

January recorded a six per cent increase in the number of international visits to the UK, when compared to the same period of 2015

According to the data released by the Office for National Statistics, 2.5 million tourists visited UK in January 2016. Total spendings sum up £1.28 billion.

As recently the largest international marketing campaign for 2016, called GREAT Britain “Home of Amazing Moments”, was launched by VisitBritain, these numbers are expected to grow.

VisitBritain director Patricia Yates commented:

“These record-breaking figures highlight the increasing year-round importance of inbound tourism to the UK economy. Tourism remains one of our fastest growing export industries but also one of the most globally competitive which is why we continue to showcase, through our international marketing campaigns, just why Britain should top people’s list as a must-go now destination.”

The record for inbound tourism to Britain in 2015 accounted for 35.8 million visits, 20 per cent more than in 2010. This sector annually brings a £26 billion revenue to the country's economy. Tourism is a major job provider in the UK, and also accounts as the country's third largest service sector.