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The UK has enjoyed a record number of overseas visits in the first quarter of 2017 with most tourists coming from the US, China, Australia and France.
Figures released by VisitBritain show that there were 8.3 million visits, up 10%, and spending up by 16% to £4.4bn compared to January to March last year.
The UK saw a record 54,000 visits from China from January to March this year, up 27% on the same period last year, with visitors spending a record £91m, up 27%.
The statistics also show that in first three months of 2017 visits from the US grew by 16%, to 641,000, compared to the same period last year, with visitors spending a record £604m, up 29%.
Visits from Australia set a record for quarter one, up 10% on last year to 174,000, and spend up to £180 million. Strong growth was also seen from France, with 991,000 visits, up 9% on the first quarter of last year, and spend up 15% to £321m.
Latest data from ForwardKeys shows that flight bookings from China to the UK are tracking 35% ahead for July to September compared to the same period last year, and 21% ahead from the US to the UK.
Bookings overall for international arrivals to the UK during the summer are currently tracking 9% ahead of the same period last year.
Patricia Yates, director of VisitBritain, said: “It is very encouraging to see such strong growth from some of our largest and most valuable markets, including France and the US, as well as markets that are important for our future, such as China.
“With forward-bookings for international arrivals tracking ahead for the coming months, we are anticipating a strong summer holiday season as we promote the message of value and welcome globally, showing people why they should book a holiday to Britain right now.”
