The number of visits to the UK was down 12.5 per cent to 7.45 million in the last three months of last year compared to the same period in 2007, according to the Office for National Statistics.The total amount spent by overseas visitors also fell – down 1 per cent year-on-year to £4 billion for the last quarter – despite the extra spending power of holidaymakers from the eurozone and United States.
Ten euros now buys nearly £9, up from £7 last year, while ten US dollars are now worth £7 from a low of less than £5.Howard Archer, chief UK economist with IHS Global Insight, said that the figures showed that the impact of the global recession was outweighing the positive effect of the falling value of sterling, in terms of attracting tourists.But he added: "It is interesting to note that the number of visitors to the UK fell by more than the amount of their spending, indicating that those people who did visit the UK actually spent more as their money went further due to the strength of their currencies against the pound."
The ONS figures also showed that the number of foreign trips made by Britons fell 6.5 per cent in the three months December against the same period last year.
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