Tourist spending in UK rises again

Tourist spending in UK rises again

The number of trips to the UK by overseas visitors and their spending levels have continued to rise this year despite a dip in tourists from North America, figures show.

The UK welcomed 12.89 million overseas residents in the first five months of 2008 - a 1% rise on the January-May 2007 total, the Office for National Statistics said.

North American numbers - at 1.52 million - were down 4% for the first five months of this year.

Americans are traditionally big spenders while away, but despite fewer of them coming to the UK so far this year, total overseas residents' spending for the period January-May 2008 was £5.81 billion - 2% up on the same period last year.

UK residents made 25.89 million visits abroad in the first five months of this year - a rise of 2%. Visitors to North America rose 1% and visits to Europe were up 2%.

UK residents spent £13.48 billion during their trips abroad in the January-May 2008 period - as rise of 5% on the first five months of last year.