Overseas visits to the UK are forecast to break through the 40 million mark for the first time in 2018, with spending by overseas visitors set to reach almost £27 billion.

The latest figures show that January to September 2017 set a new record for inbound tourism to the UK, with growth set to continue in 2018 according to forecasts from national tourism agency VisitBritain.

Overseas visits to the UK are forecast to reach 41.7 million in 2018, up 4.4% on 2017 which is expected to see 39.9 million visits. Spending by overseas visitors to the UK is forecast to reach £26.9 billion in 2018, up 6.8% on 2017 which is expected to total £25.1 billion by year end.

VisitBritain Director Patricia Yates said: “Tourism is one of the UK's most valuable export industries. It is also a fiercely competitive global industry and these results not only demonstrate Britain’s continued ability to compete internationally for visitors, they are testament to tourism’s importance as a driver of economic growth.

“We are working with partners across the world to tell customers of experiences they can only have in Britain and encourage them to book a trip now. We have seen good growth in 2017 from the US and China, and are developing new products that make it easier for overseas visitors to book and explore all of Britain.”

There were 3.8 million visits from North America, for example, from January to September 2017, up 14% on 2016.

Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel & Tourism, added: “With continuing favourable exchange rates, 2018 is set to be another good year for visiting Britain. Famed for its wonderful heritage, spectacular landscapes, exciting cities and warm welcome, Britain has long been a favourite tourist destination. However, a wealth of unique experiences and terrific value for money will help to ensure that, this year, more people than ever visit our shores.”

The UK was ranked third for tourism globally in the 2017 Anholt-GfK Nation Brands Index (NBI), equalling its highest rank ever and up two places from last year. The NBI considered attributes including historic buildings and monuments, having a vibrant city life and natural beauty. When considering its overall brand, the UK ranked third out of 50 nations, a position it has held since 2011.

In 2018, a number of exciting experiences are taking place in Britain, which will help to draw tourists from around the world. This includes:

• Scotland heralds 2018 as the Year of Young People, with events including the Royal Edinburgh Tattoo and Speyside Whisky Festival.
• Wales celebrates the Year of the Sea, and will hold its annual literary and arts festival, The Laugharne Weekend, in April, followed by the Festival of Voice in Cardiff in June. 
• Bristol is opening a new museum, Being Brunel, in early 2018 and London’s V&A Museum is opening an outpost in Dundee in Scotland in the second half of the year.
• The last season of Game of Thrones will be filmed in Northern Ireland, on locations including Giant's Causeway (The Iron Island) and the Dark Hedges (The King’s Road), along with the original filming locations of Winterfell.
• It will be a big year for culture in Liverpool as it celebrates its 10th anniversary of being named European Capital of Culture. The city will welcome the Terracotta Warriors to the World Museum from February to October 2018.
• Newcastle and Gateshead in North East England will host The Great Exhibition of the North, celebrating the cities’ culture, art and design from June to September.