Destinations

Now This Is Good News


VisitBritain has just released figures on overseas visits for April of this year and the news is good, real good. In fact, April 2017 was a record for both the number of overseas visitors and for spending as well.

The tourism organizations figures reveal that 3.7 million visits were made to the UK in April this year, up 19% compared to the same month last year and the highest April since records began.

And overseas visitors were spending – to the tune of a record £2 billion in April, 20% up on the same month last year.

And the April numbers come hard on the heals of a record first-quarter for inbound visits to the UK and spend.

Paul Gauger, interim executive vice-president for VisitBritain, observed that: “2017 is off to an exceptional start for North American inbound tourism to the UK, up 16% from January to April, compared to the same period last year.”

Gauger continued: “We’re thrilled to continue the momentum from 2016, moving into peak summer season, and showcase why there has never been a better time to visit Britain.’

Inbound visits to the UK for January to April of this year reached a record 11.8 million – up 11% over the same period in 2016 and visitor spending reached £6.2 billion – up by 14% and also setting a new record.

Go to http://www.visitbritain.org for more.