Visits to the UK up 4 per cent

The seasonally adjusted number of visits to the UK rose 4 per cent during April to June 2009 when compared with the previous three months according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

However, visits over the 12-month period to June 2009 were down by 8 per cent compared with a year earlier.

During April to June 2009, the seasonally adjusted number of visits by overseas residents to the UK increased 4 per cent to 7.7 million when compared with the previous three months. Associated spending by overseas residents on visits to the UK remained broadly the same at £4.2 billion.

Over the same period, the seasonally adjusted number of visits abroad by UK residents remained broadly the same at 15.2 million, while the associated spending decreased by 8 per cent to £7.6 billion.

During the 12 months to June 2009, the number of visits by overseas residents to the UK, not seasonally adjusted, decreased by 8 per cent when compared with the 12 months to June 2008, from 33.1 million to 30.5 million - a drop of 2.6 million.

Visits from residents of Europe decreased by 5 per cent to 22.9 million while visits from North America decreased by 22 per cent to 3.4 million. Visits from other parts of the world decreased by 10 per cent to 4.2 million

In the 12-month period to June 2009, the number of visits abroad by UK residents, not seasonally adjusted, decreased by 10 per cent when compared with the 12 months to June 2008, from 70.9 to 63.5 million.

Visits by UK residents to Europe decreased by 10 per cent to 50.4 million. Visits to North America decreased by 15 per cent to 4.0 million, and to other parts of the world decreased by 9 per cent to 9.1 million.