New neighbours boost UK tourism

A LARGE influx of visitors from new EU countries helped push UK tourism numbers up in the first half of 2007.

Overseas residents made 15.32 million visits to the UK between January-June 2007 - a 3 per cent increase compared with the first six months of 2006, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

While visits by North Americans dipped 5 per cent, visits by those by EU citizens soared by 20 per cent.

Foreign tourists spent £6.96 billion during their trips. The ONS also announced that UK residents made almost 31.8 million visits abroad in the first half of 2007, spending £16.06 billion.Scotsman News website.

Published: 21.8.2007