Record numbers of Brits to visit US
The number of UK travellers to the US is expected to hit record levels this year.
After a blip following the terrorist attacks of September 2001, forecasts from the Visit USA Association, based on advance booking levels, suggest that the previous record of 4.7 million UK arrivals in 2000 will be surpassed this year.
The statistics come on the back of an expected 4.35 million UK visitors to the US last year, the second highest ever. Arrivals for the year including November show almost four million British travellers to the US – representing a rise of 10% over 2003.
Demand for travel to the US is being encouarged by a $6 million TV and poster promotional campaign and the favourable sterling-dollar exchange rate which has led to record booking levels, the association says.
Visit USA Association UK chairman Matt Bates said: “The UK-USA market really has bounced back in a very big way. In 2004 it was really great to see the USA growing strongly, and in so doing, retaining its position both as the UK’s favourite long haul holiday destination and the largest international origin market to the USA.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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