Inbound tourist numbers rise 23%

The number of holiday visitors to the UK from abroad in March 2017 rose by 23% year on year, according to the British Hospitality Association's Travel Monitor.

The increase was driven by 43% growth in passengers from North America, while passenger growth from Europe was more subdued, rising by 4%, and spending by overseas visitors increased 14% year on year.

Year to date, the analysis from the BHA Travel Monitor shows the total number of visitors to the UK was up 6.9% with business visitors, down -1.4% year on year.

The latest BHA Quarterly Inbound Travel Analysis for the past three months of 2016 has also been released and shows that inbound holiday passengers spent an estimated £130m (1.5%) more in the UK in 2016 than in 2015, while business passengers spent an estimated £50m (0.9%) more.

Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive of the British Hospitality Association, said: "Trading in March has been very encouraging and the low rate of sterling presents a great opportunity for our industry to welcome an increasing number of foreign visitors. However, we cannot and should not rely on fluctuating rates in the long term."

BHA travel monitor reveals strong growth in visitor numbers >>

UK visitor numbers up but spend down, says BHA >>

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