The number of overseas arrivals in the UK dropped by 5% in July while outbound numbers were pegged at the same level last year.
Latest figures from the Office of National Statistics reveal the 5% fall to 3.2 million arrivals to the UK in the month, while spending was down by 6% to £2 billion.
This confirms industry fears that the London Olympics would have a negative impact on the number of foreign tourists visiting the UK, although the full impact of the games will emerge in the August ONS figures to be published next month.
Overall inbound travel in the first seven months of the year was up by 1% with spending up by the same amount.
The number of people travelling abroad in July at 5.7 million was “broadly the same” as the same month last year.
The level of foreign visits taken by Britons in January to July was unchanged from the same period last year, although spending was up by 3% to £17.9 billion.