Visitors from overseas are set to spend almost £1 billion more in 2015, helping to buoy Britain’s economy, said culture secretary Sajid Javid.
VisitBritain predicts inbound tourism expenditure will increase by 4.5% in 2015 to top £22 billion for the first time, thanks largely to Government investment in the GREAT campaign and a simplified visa system wooing more Chinese visitors.
The overall number of visits from overseas is also expected to rise, to 35.1 million trips, up 2.5% on 2014.
Culture secretary Sajid Javid said: “The tourism sector is driving economic growth for Britain.
“Working closely with the tourism industry we will continue to champion the UK abroad as part of our long-term economic plan.”
Sally Balcombe, chief executive of VisitBritain, added: “Tourism will continue to be one of the country’s major export earners with VisitBritain playing a critical role in its success.”
She said promoting Britain’s countryside was a priority in 2015 for the GREAT campaign, which has generated at least £1.8 billion from inbound visitors in its first three years.
Growth from Chinese tourists has been particularly strong, and they spent £492 million in 2013, up from £184 million in 2010.
Next year has also been dubbed the ‘Year of Mexico’ as the government aims to encourage more Mexican visitors.
Numbers from Mexico soared from 67,000 in 2010 to 108,000 in 2013.
The biggest spenders are Americans, who splashed out £2.5 billion in 2013, up 19.4% on 2010 (£2.1 billion), helped by the success of dramas such as Downton Abbey and Sherlock Stateside.
Expenditure by visitors from France and Germany has also grown strongly in the four years to 2013 – up 18.2% and 18% to £1.35 billion and £1.4 billion respectively.