ONS: Overseas holiday visits to UK increase

Date: 15th January 2010

New figures recently published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) may serve to encourage small business owners in the UK who are reliant on a healthy tourism trade.

According to the latest ONS report, the number of people visiting the UK purely for holiday and recreational purposes increased between November 2008 and November 2009.

The figures revealed that holiday visits from North America were up six per cent on the previous 12 months.

Total vacation visits increased by eight per cent over the same period.

In the three months to November 2009 overseas residents visiting the UK contributed around £4.1 billion to the economy.

However, the report also revealed a decrease in the total number of people visiting the UK.

In the 12 months to November last year 59.1 million people came to the country, down from 69.5 million a year earlier.

This represented a decrease of 10.3 million or nine per cent over the quarter.