Strong first quarter for UK tourism
The number of overseas visitors to the UK increased by 15% during March when compared with the same period in 2003, according to the latest government figures.
Overall numbers rose to 1.95 million, although the amount they spent fell by 2% to £755m.
Visitors from North America were up by 9% to 320,000, those from Western Europe up by 17% to 1.34 million, and from the rest of the world up by 7% to 280,000.
The March figures helped fuel what tourist board VisitBritain said was the best first three months of a year for the past 25 years.
Some 5.5 million visitors came to the UK during the first quarter, a rise of 11% on the same period in 2003.
VisitBritain chief executive Tom Wright said: "We are increasingly confident that 2004 will see Britain's tourism recovery continue to make great strides.
"The 9% rise in North American visits indicates that pent-up demand is being released."
Buy this week's Caterer magazine for more industry news and analysis
