More visitors to the UK, but they're not staying long

The number of visitors coming to the UK continues to rise compared with last year, but more of them are taking short breaks rather than longer holidays.

These are the findings of the latest Business Barometer from the British Incoming Tour Operators Association (BITOA).

Visitor arrivals in April were up by 19.2% in comparison with April 2003. Forward bookings were also up, by 10.1%.

But the association warned not to read too much into the data, as April 2003 was a very poor month. "These figures indicate little more than a return to 2002 levels," it said.

Bitoa added: "In addition revenue growth remains depressed as the trend to shorter-duration mini-breaks continues and the long-haul recovery still lags behind Western Europe."

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