Visits from overseas residents to the UK were up by almost 5% in the third quarter of 2015, compared to the same quarter last year, which is a record for any quarter according to the latest figures from the International Passenger Survey.

In total, there were 10.5 million visits to the UK in the third quarter of 2015. Business visits rose by 2% compared to 2014, holiday visits increased by 1%, another new record for any quarter, and visits to friends and relatives increased by a staggering 12%.

Visits from the USA were up 7% in the first nine months of the year to 2.6 million, which is the best performance since 2007. Also seeing growth were visits from China, up 37% in the first nine months to 214,000 – already a record with one quarter of the year still to go.

Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel and Tourism, said: “It’s great to see that visits to the UK from overseas continue to increase, as more and more visitors choose Britain for their vacations, to see loved ones or as a place to do business. Many of our clients are from North America, so it is especially pleasing for us to see that visits from the United States are growing so significantly.

“As a UK tour operator, we would of course recommend the UK as a wonderful place to visit, so it is good to see that this message is getting through to travellers from overseas. With our great history, heritage and culture, coupled with business and conference facilities that are second to none, the UK really is an ideal destination.

“At Janet Redler Travel and Tourism, we look forward to welcoming many more overseas visitors in 2016 and beyond!”

To find out more about visiting the UK, and to talk to us about organising your own tailor made tour, contact us today.