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| Visitor numbers to UK hit record in July | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The number of overseas visitors to the UK topped four million in July for the first time, official figures show. | The number of overseas visitors to the UK topped four million in July for the first time, official figures show. |
| Travellers to the UK spent £2.75bn on their visits, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, another record. | Travellers to the UK spent £2.75bn on their visits, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, another record. |
| The figures also show the number of visits abroad by UK residents fell 2% from July last year to 6.9 million, with spending also down 2% to £4.5bn. | The figures also show the number of visits abroad by UK residents fell 2% from July last year to 6.9 million, with spending also down 2% to £4.5bn. |
| The weakening of the pound since the Brexit vote has made prices in the UK cheaper for travellers from abroad. | |
| However, Patricia Yates, from tourist promotion agency VisitBritain, said the pound was a only small part of the story: "We know the weak pound helps, but it is not the motivator for first time visitors - most people overseas do not know what the exchange rate is." | However, Patricia Yates, from tourist promotion agency VisitBritain, said the pound was a only small part of the story: "We know the weak pound helps, but it is not the motivator for first time visitors - most people overseas do not know what the exchange rate is." |
| So far this year, the number of overseas visits to the UK are up 8% on the same period last year, with spending running at £13.3bn. | So far this year, the number of overseas visits to the UK are up 8% on the same period last year, with spending running at £13.3bn. |
| The ONS says tourism is worth £127bn annually to the UK economy. | The ONS says tourism is worth £127bn annually to the UK economy. |
| Tourists are mainly coming from: | Tourists are mainly coming from: |
| Ms Yates said an improvement in airline capacity, particularly between the UK and China and the UK and North America had helped to encourage visitors. | Ms Yates said an improvement in airline capacity, particularly between the UK and China and the UK and North America had helped to encourage visitors. |
| "The US has been sluggish for a while - so some of it is bounce back, but some of it is because of the more competitive nature of transatlantic traffic," she said. | "The US has been sluggish for a while - so some of it is bounce back, but some of it is because of the more competitive nature of transatlantic traffic," she said. |
| "We have also been building a buzz with [online travel website] Expedia, trying to encourage interest in places they may not have considered before." | "We have also been building a buzz with [online travel website] Expedia, trying to encourage interest in places they may not have considered before." |
| Tourism Minister John Glen said: "Tourism is a major economic force that creates jobs and drives growth for the whole of the country. | Tourism Minister John Glen said: "Tourism is a major economic force that creates jobs and drives growth for the whole of the country. |
| "These record figures show the continued strength of this important sector and the UK's global position as a must-visit destination." | "These record figures show the continued strength of this important sector and the UK's global position as a must-visit destination." |
| Top five visitor attractions in UK and annual visit numbers: |