Visits to Scotland increase by more than 10%

Overseas visits to Scotland are up from 2.4m to 2.7m while the number of visitors to Wales has increased from 869k to 932k (a 7 per cent rise).

Visits to England (excluding London) are up from 13.5m to 14.2m (a 5 per cent rise) while visits to London rose 4 per cent from 17.4m to 18.8m. 

Tourism minister, Tracey Crouch, said the UK’s cultural and heritage sights are attractive to tourists, but believes the government can do more to further increase visits to them. 

“There are a multitude of wonderful cultural and heritage sites on offer throughout the UK which I'm delighted that overseas visitors are enjoying.  However, there is always more to do and this government is committed to supporting the tourism industry, and through the 5 Point Plan for tourism, we will ensure these economic benefits are spread throughout the country,” she said.  

The period from January to July saw a 3 per cent increase in inbound figures to 20m, with the North American market showing a 14 per cent rise in June adding to a 4 per cent growth in the first six months of 2015 compared to the start of 2014.

The figures follow news that VisitBritain has generated £2.5bn for the British tourism industry over the past four years.

VisitBritain chairman, Christopher Rodrigues, said the agency is motivated by adding value to the British tourism industry.

“Everything we do is motivated by the goal to add value to the inbound tourism industry, maximising the taxpayers’ investment in tourism, and driving economic growth across the nations and regions ensuring that the economic benefits of tourism are felt across the whole of Britain,” he said.