London attracts record visitor numbers
The number of overseas visitors to London rose by 9.4% last year to a record 15.2 million.
Despite a weakening American dollar, spending by US visitors has risen to £1.5 billion, the highest it has been since 2000, according to tourist board Visit London.
An extra 1.3 million visitors came to the capital, increasing London’s share of world tourism and boosting its economy by £600 million.
According to latest figures, the increase in visitors helped drive record spending – up from £6.9 billion in 2005 to £7.5 billion in 2006.
The figures mean London’s global share of international tourism rose from 1.7% to 1.8%.
The largest increase in visitor numbers came from Europe, up 11.6% to 9.6 million, followed by the United States, up 5.2% to 2.4 million.
Visit London has just launched its latest campaign in North America featuring radio, online, ‘advertorials’ and PR. This week will also see five US radio stations broadcasting live from the London Eye.
Visit London chief executive James Bidwell said: “London remains the number one city destination in the world and the latest visitor numbers confirm this.
“Importantly, we have increased our worldwide share of international visitor numbers.
“Tourism is worth around £15 billion a year to the London economy and sustained increases over time result in an increase in the number of jobs created for the economy.
“This is particularly encouraging in the lead up to 2012 when the tourism and cultural industries will be amongst the main economic beneficiaries from the Games.”
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: “Record tourist numbers show the impact of London’s profile on the world stage.
“Visit London has also become one of most professional marketing organisations in the world delivering huge benefits to the city.
“There are major new sporting events coming to London this year, such as the start of the Tour de France and the first competitive NFL American football game played outside the American Continent.
“This year also sees the opening of Western Europe’s largest entertainment arena at The O2 as well as the proven continued pulling power of the most diverse and interesting cultural attractions in the world.
“I shall continue to put major resources in the promotion of London in the run up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games as this translates directly into jobs and incomes for Londoners.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt