Data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics showed that there were 27.1 million visits to Britain from January to September this year, a 3% increase compared to the same period in 2014.

 

Spending by international visitors in September was £2.2 billion, equalling last year's record spend for the same month. Overall, spending by visitors for the first nine months of 2015 was £16.5 billion.

 

The continued growth in international visits reflects findings from the 2015 Anholt-GfK Nations Brand Index (NBI), published recently, which showed that global perceptions of Britain as a welcoming place are improving.

 

Overall, the UK came 3rd out of 50 nations for its global ‘brand' in this year's NBI, a place it has held for the fifth year running. The annual index surveys more than 20,000 people from a panel of 20 countries on their perceptions of 50 nations on ‘tourism', ‘culture' and ‘people' as well as ‘exports', ‘governance' and ‘immigration/investment' and then ranks them for their overall brand. Britain also improved its overall ranking in the NBI in its three largest and most valuable visitor markets, the United States, France and Germany.

 

The US rated Britain 2nd out of 50 nations for its brand, with the highest leaps in perceptions of ‘natural beauty' and ‘cultural heritage’. The US market has also been showing a continued return to growth, with a 3% increase in visitors to Britain during the first six months of 2015 compared to the previous year, and the amount spent 2% higher in the first six months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.

 

France ranked the UK in 4th place overall, its highest placing in seven years, while Germany moved it up 3 places to equal highest 6th place rank, with improvements in perceptions of ‘sport' and ‘welcome’.

 

VisitBritain Director Patricia Yates said: "It's really great to see the continued growth in visitor numbers as well as the gains we've made in global perceptions of our brand. Promoting Britain's countryside, culture and ‘welcome' around the world have been a focus for VisitBritain, so it's really positive to see the big improvements in these areas.”

 

Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel and Tourism, added: “Britain really is the ‘place to be’ these days as more and more people choose to visit from overseas and recognition of Britain’s ‘brand’ improves. It is especially pleasing for us to see the continued growth in visitors from the USA, one of our key markets, and we are looking forward to organising tours for a number of groups from the United States in the coming year. We are confident they will be delighted with the culture, beauty and warm welcome Britain has to offer!”

 

Read more on the VisitBritain website: www.visitbritain.com