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The number of international visits to the UK were up 6% compared with the same month last year, breaking a record for the month.
That’s according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which showed more than 2.5 million visits were made in January 2016 with visitors spending £1.28bn
While this figure doesn’t quite match the highs of last year’s summer months when a record-breaking 3.7 million international visits were made in July alone, this traditionally quieter month represents a “very encouraging” start to the year according to trade association VisitBritain.
Patricia Yates, director at VisitBritain, said: “These record-breaking figures highlight the increasing year-round importance of inbound tourism to the UK economy.
“Tourism remains one of our fastest growing export industries but also one of the most globally competitive which is why we continue to showcase, through our international marketing campaigns, just why Britain should top people’s list as a must-go now destination.”
Last year set a record for inbound tourism to Britain with 35.8 million visits, 4% up on 2014. Comparing growth over the last five years shows that there were six million more visits in 2015 than 2010, an increase of 20%.
