Record high spending in the first half of the year helped boost tourism in the UK.
Visitors from overseas spent almost £9 billion in Britain in the six months to June – up by 11% on the same period last year.
Data from the Office for National Statistics showed that June was a strong growth month, with tourists spending a record £1.84 billion, an increase on 13% from 2012.
The total number of visits to Britain in the first six months were up by 4% to more than 15 million. A total of 2.89 million of those visits were made in June alone.
The weak pound was said to have contributed to the growth, attracting many tourists to the UK.
Tourism minister Hugh Robertson said it was vital to continue promoting Britain as a great place to visit.
“There record figures for June show that our tourism strategy is working. We did all we can to showcase the best of Britain to the world in 2012 and it’s paying off.
“The tourism sector has a big role to play in delivering economic growth and we must keep up this momentum and continue to promote Britain as a great place to visit.
“If this trend continues, it would see us welcome one overseas visitor every second of every day of every week of every month of the year.”
Robertson added: “This is great news for the economy and a further sign that tourism is delivering growth across the country.”