UK TOURISM SLUMP CONTINUES

LATEST tourism figures reveal UK visitor numbers have yet to climb back to last year’s levels.

The Office of National Statistics reveal that in January and February overseas visits declined by 6% to 2.9 million on the same period last year. This caused spending to dip to £1.3 billion, a drop of 10%.

The British Tourist Authority says the figures are in line with expectations as it predicts the effects of foot and mouth and September 11 will continue to hit tourism well into 2002.