18/02/2010 - Recession hits UK tourism industry
Official figures have revealed that the number of tourists who visited the UK from overseas in 2009 suffered a 7% decline on the previous year to 29.57 million.
The data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also showed that the number of UK residents who made trips abroad fell 15% last year to 58.53 million.
But visitors to the UK spent around £16.48 billion, or 1% more last year than they did in 2008, a contrast to UK residents' expenses while abroad, which amounted to £31.85 billion - a 14% fall on figures from 2008.
The recession also had an impact on the number of trips UK residents took abroad last year. The figure fell 16% to 38.44 million, while business trips were down 22% and visits to friends and relatives (VFR) abroad fell 7%.
By contrast, more foreigners visited the UK on holiday, with the numbers rising 3% last year, although the overall total suffered with business trips falling 20%.
The ONS also recorded a fall of 10% in the number of VFR trips to the UK last year.
Records also reveal that UK residents took 21% fewer trips to North America last year and 15% fewer trips to Europe.
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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