OVERSEAS
visitors to the UK decreased by 10% in the quarter ending September 30 2001
compared to the same period last year.
Figures
released by the Office of National Statistics revealed that overseas visitors
dropped to 6,300,000 during the quarter. It also showed total spending by
overseas visitors to the UK decreased by 2% and spending by UK residents
overseas increased by 3%, resulting in a deficit of £3.7 billion.
The
British Tourist Authority said the figures are in line with predictions of the
combined impact of foot and mouth and September 11.
BTA
chief executive Jeff Hamblin said: “These figures come as no surprise. The
loss of a quarter of a million overseas visitors is tough for an industry which
was only just starting to recover from foot and mouth.”
Speaking
at the English Tourism Council Tourism Forum in London yesterday, culture
secretary Tessa Jowell said she will be looking closely at the trends over the
next four months and the impact on forward bookings.
The International Passenger Survey also revealed the
most positive result in September was from Western Europe, where the number of
visits was only 6% down compared to 2000. In contrast, visits from North
America were down by 17%.