Domestic visitors to London decline

The number of UK visitors to London dropped by more than seven per cent last year over 2006, reflecting a continuing decline in domestic tourism.

Figures from Visit London showed that the number of people from across the UK visiting the capital in 2007 dropped to 10.1 million, a annual decline of 7.5%.

This mirrored results across the UK which saw overall domestic visitor numbers fall by two per cent in 2007, according to official statistics.

Visit London forecasts that overseas and domestic tourism will slow this year.

But strong visitor numbers since 2005 put London in a “resilient position” to face any slowdown, according to the tourist office.

Chief executive James Bidwell said: “Domestic tourism has been in decline across the UK for a number of years.

“Since their peak in 2000, domestic overnight visits have fallen 30% across Britain. This is primarily due to the growth of cheap, short haul carriers and expanding regional airports across Europe.”

He added: “London will continue to benefit from hosting major events such as the return of the American NFL in October this year as well as high profile exhibitions. Tutankhamun at The O2 continues to be a major draw for domestic visitors to London.

“The recent Chinese Terracotta Warriors exhibition at the British Museum saw over 850,000 visitors another record result for one of the capital’s leading attractions.”

Despite the decline in domestic numbers, London achieved its second consecutive record year for overseas visitors, attracting more than New York and Paris.

Provisional results, published by the Office of National Statistics, show a record 16.1 million overseas visitors to the capital last year, up nearly three per cent on the previous year.

The total number of visitors to the capital in 2007 was 26.2 million.

Total spending by overseas visitors was £8.7 billion, up 11.2% on 2006 with total spend, excluding day visits, reaching a record £10.9 billion, up eight per cent.

Despite the weak American dollar, spending by US visitors rose 5.3% to £1.6 billion, the highest level since 2000.

But the number of US visitors fell by 1.7% to 2.5 million. The US remains London’s largest market followed by France (1.34 million visitors) and Germany (1.25 million visitors).

Visits from Europe rose by 2.7 per cent. Other mature markets saw significant rises with Australia up almost 20% with 690,000 visitors.

The number of Chinese visitors rose by 37% to 89,000, visits from India were up  by more than three per cent to 237,000. For the second consecutive year, Indian visitors to London outspent the Japanese – £171 million against Japanese spend of £149 million.

New London Mayor Boris Johnson said: “Tourism is one of London’s success stories and translates directly into jobs and income for Londoners.

“Record overseas tourist numbers demonstrate the impact of London on the world stage and I am delighted with these results.”

by Phil Davies