Record visitor numbers for UK

There were a record number of tourist and business visits to the UK in 2006, according to a report released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Visits to the UK from overseas residents saw a 9.2 per cent increase over the year, up to 32.7 million from 30 million in 2005.

Similarly UK residents’ visits abroad rose 4.7 per cent – up to 69.5 million from 66.4 million in 2005.

The USA received the most visitors from the UK, with 3.9 million Brits making the trip across the Atlantic.

France, Germany, Irish Republic, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Belgium and Australia were also popular, while Poland saw the largest increase in visitors with 1.6 million visitors last year, compared to 0.2 million in 2002.

The most common method of transport was air, which accounted for 75 per cent of all trips to the UK and 81 per cent of trips by Brits abroad.

In terms of those visiting the UK, 71 per cent were from European residents, while 15 per cent from North America and 14 per cent came from the rest of the world.

Almost half of all visitors spent at least one night in London, with Edinburgh, Birmingham and Manchester the next most visited cities.

The average length of a stay was eight nights.

The full ONS release can be seen here.