New figures reveal that January 2016 saw a record number of international visits to the UK, up 6% on the same month last year.

The Office for National Statistics figures show that more than 2.5 million visits were made in January 2016, with visitors spending £1.28 billion.

While the latest results don’t match the peak number of visits in the summer months, they provide a very encouraging start to the year, as January is traditionally a quieter month.

VisitBritain Director Patricia Yates said: “These record-breaking figures highlight the increasing year-round importance of inbound tourism to the UK economy. Tourism remains one of our fastest growing export industries but also one of the most globally competitive which is why we continue to showcase, through our international marketing campaigns, just why Britain should top people’s list as a must-go now destination.”

Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel & Tourism, said: “It’s great news that international visits to the UK during the winter months are growing. We organise a number of tours to the UK and Europe each winter and we believe there is something special about the time of year which makes a winter vacation an unforgettable experience and quite different to a summer vacation.”

VisitBritain recently launched its largest international marketing campaign for 2016 to promote memorable ‘moments’ that can only be found in Britain, to drive tourism across all the nations and regions. Called GREAT Britain ‘Home of Amazing Moments’ the campaign calls on people to upload images of their own memorable experiences from their holidays in Britain using the hashtag #OMGB. The idea is to inspire people to want to be part of it and book a trip to come and discover their own amazing moments.

Last year set a record for inbound tourism to Britain with 35.8 million visits, 4% up on 2014. Comparing growth over the last five years shows that there were six million more visits in 2015 than 2010, an increase of 20%. Inbound tourism is now worth more than £26 billion to the UK economy. Read more on the VisitBritain website: www.visitbritain.org

If you are a travel agent looking to organise tours to the UK, please do contact Janet Redler Travel & Tourism, as we are experts in delivering tailor made tours of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland – at any time of year!