Birmingham welcomed a record one million overseas visitors last year when it was the fourth most visited city in the UK, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.
It was an increase of 17.3% on the previous year, when it attracted 944,000 visits.
Birmingham said this was the largest rise for any city outside London.
Foreigners spent £386 million in Birmingham, an increase of £87 million, which was only 8% lower than in London.
Birmingham also saw the highest growth of any city outside London in the number of international business visits, which reached 619,000, up 19.4%.
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Councillor John Clancy, leader of Birmingham City Council, said:"These figures are great news for Birmingham, confirming the city’s international standing and growing appeal. More people are discovering Birmingham and its surrounding areas than ever before.~
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"With over £1billion of investment in the region in the last year, Greater Birmingham is experiencing record levels of growth.
"These have included the New Street station transport hub, the integrated leisure and entertainment complex Resorts World Birmingham based at the NEC, luxury retail centre The Mailbox and high end shopping destination Grand Central.
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"Birmingham is a city of progress and changes to its physical and economic landscapes will continue."
