News

OVERSEAS visitors to the UK decreased by 10% in the quarter ending September 30 2001 compared to the same period last year.

Figures released by the Office of National Statistics revealed that overseas visitors dropped to 6,300,000 during the quarter. It also showed total spending by overseas visitors to the UK decreased by 2% and spending by UK residents overseas increased by 3%, resulting in a deficit of £3.7 billion.

The British Tourist Authority said the figures are in line with predictions of the combined impact of foot and mouth and September 11.

BTA chief executive Jeff Hamblin said: "These figures come as no surprise. The loss of a quarter of a million overseas visitors is tough for an industry which was only just starting to recover from foot and mouth."

Speaking at the English Tourism Council Tourism Forum in London yesterday, culture secretary Tessa Jowell said she will be looking closely at the trends over the next four months and the impact on forward bookings.

The International Passenger Survey also revealed the most positive result in September was from Western Europe, where the number of visits was only 6% down compared to 2000. In contrast, visits from North America were down by 17%.