OVERSEAS visitors are set to spend record-breaking amounts of money in the UK this year, according to national tourism body VisitBritain.
Foreign residents are likely to make two per cent more visits to the UK this year than in 2013, with spending reaching an all-time high of around £21.5bn, VisitBritain forecasts.
It has welcomed government funding of £90m for the welcome-to-Britain GREAT campaign for the next two years. In its 2014 forecast, VisitBritain expects to see continued strong growth from emerging markets, particularly Malaysia, South Korea, China and Mexico.
The tourist organisation added that while the football World Cup in Brazil next summer may soften demand for outbound travel from the South American country, any change is unlikely to have a measurable impact on aggregate visits or spending in Britain.
VisitBritain chief executive Sandie Dawe said: “This year is set to be a record. It just goes to show what can be achieved with a clear strategy and cooperation across all the major government agencies promoting Britain overseas.”
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