First signs of return in business travel
Wednesday, 13 May, 2010
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Long term declines in inbound business travel appear to have been stemmed, according to figures released today by the Office for National Statistics.
Business visits to the UK rose by seven per cent in the first three months of year compared with a year earlier.
Travel abroad on business by UK residents was down by one per cent in the quarter.
This follows longer term declines which have seen visits abroad on business fall 21% and visits to the UK fall by 12% in the past year.
The overall seasonally adjusted number of visits by overseas residents to the UK decreased by one per cent to 7.4 million over the previous three months. Spending by overseas residents on visits to the UK decreased by one per cent to £4 billion.
The number of visits abroad by UK travellers dropped by four per cent to 13.3 million, while associated spending increased by one per cent to £7.6 billion.
Visits to North America and Europe remain “subdued”, while those to other countries are less affected, ONS said.
The number of visits by overseas residents to the UK declined by four per cent in the 12 months to March, from 30.9 million to 29.6 million – a drop of 1.3 million.
Visits for business reasons fell 12% while visits to friends or relatives fell by eight per cent.
Holiday visits increased by four per cent.
The annual number of visits abroad by UK residents dropped by 13% year on year, from 65.9 to 57.4 million – a drop of 8.6 million.
Visits for business reasons fell 21%, for holidays by 13% and visits to friends or relatives by five per cent.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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