The UK attracted a record amount of tourists in April, as the weak sterling encouraged visitors to spend more on shops, hotels and restaurants.
The number of visits from tourists hit 3.7 million in April 2017, up 19 percent on the same month last year. £2 billion was spent during the month by visitors, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics on Friday, 20 percent higher than the year before as tourists looked to take advantage of the weak pound.
However, sterling’s value had a negative effect on UK citizens; residents from Great British made 6.1 million visits abroad in April 2017, an increase of only 2 percent on April 2016. The cost of holidaying abroad has soared for Brits since the European Referendum last June, with the bureaux de change at Gatwick airport giving holidaymakers just €0.98 for £1 this week.
Tourism is worth £127 billion annually to the UK economy, with Visit Britain director Patricia Yates telling the Guardian:
“Tourism is one of Britain’s most valuable export industries and it is very encouraging to see this continued growth as we head into the peak summer season and beyond,” she said.
“We continue to drive home the message of value and welcome globally, particularly in our high spending markets China and the US and the valuable European market.”
Brexit is expected to have a large effect on the levels of tourism in the UK, with the future of borderless travel between the UK and Europe uncertain and higher airfares looking more likely.