January 2016 breaks UK's international visits record

New figures released by the Office for National Statistics today show that more than 2.5 million visits were made to the UK by international visitors in January, where they spent £1.28bn. 

VisitBritain director Patricia Yates said while the figure was evidently lower than July's record-breaking 3.7m visits, it was a positive one for a traditionally quieter month in the tourist calendar. 

“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," she said. 

Amazing moments​

Last year set a record for inbound tourism to Britain with 35.8 million visits, 4 per cent up on 2014. VisitBritain said comparing growth over the last five years shows that there were six million more visits in 2015 than 2010, an increase of 20 per cent. 

VisitBritain recently launched its largest international marketing campaign for 2016 to promote memorable ‘moments’ that can only be found in Britain to drive tourism across all the nations and regions. 

Called GREAT Britain ‘Home of Amazing Moments’ the campaign calls on people to upload images of their own memorable experiences from their holidays in Britain using the hashtag #OMGB. The idea is to inspire people to want to be part of it and book a trip now to come and discover their own amazing moments.