US tourist visits to the UK have dropped by 10% this year as a result of the weakening dollar, according to figures from Travelocity.
The online travel agent said that with US tourists only receiving £1 to every two US dollars, air fares to the UK have increased by almost 20%.
The means the UK has dropped four places in Travelocity’s ratings from the 22nd most popular destination to 26th.
The travel company says US tourists have been holidaying closer to home, particularly domestically and in the Caribbean, where US dollars can be spent.
Travelocity said its data is supported by figures from VisitBritain that shows US visitors to the UK in 2006 – when the dollar to pound exchange rate was better – increased by 13% on the previous year. For the first six months of this year visitor numbers have dropped by 6%.
Travelocity senior editor Genevieve Brown said: “There has been a slow-down in the number of US visitors to UK this year, which has happened at the same time as the dollar to pound exchange rate has worsened.
“As the UK’s market share has declined, domestic destinations and places where travellers can spend US dollars, such as the Caribbean, have gained popularity.”