Tourists from all over the world flock to just about every corner of the UK, and the numbers are steadily increasing with each year that goes by.
Whether travellers are visiting for a day, for a few weeks or even longer, we can't deny how important tourism is to the UK in terms of economic stability and overall growth.
But finally, the figures are here! Visit Britain have carried out a detailed survey
regarding tourists visiting the UK in 2017 and we're here to tell you about it.
Click here to find out more about the methodology of the 2017 survey.
So, which region is contributing most financially? Does the British weather play a part? Who has seen the biggest increase in visitors and why? All of these questions will be answered!
You may use the interactive map below to visit your desired region.
SCOTLAND
Scotland is the most northern part of Great Britain - well known traditions include dancing, celebrations at the start of a new year and the Highland Games.
There is a vast array of beautiful scenery throughout the country, including mountains (Ben Nevis being the highest in GB), lakes (better known as lochs, including the famous Loch Ness), valleys (traditionally known as glens) and forests.
Take a look at a range of interesting statistics regarding Scotland along with individual
figures for 11 of the counties below.
Number
of visits
3.21 million
Total
expenditure (£)
£2.28 billion
Total nights spent
24.4 million
Average length of stay
7.6
Average spend per visit (£)
£709
What Were The Top 3 Reasons For Visiting Scotland?
Holiday
1.86 million
Visiting Family/Relative
776,871
Business
505,154
Most popular time of year to visit?
Other interesting statistics...
- Ayrshire & Arran
- Dumfries & Galloway
- Dundee & Angus
- Fife
- Grampian
- Gtr Glasgow, Clyde Valley
- Highlands & Islands
- L. Lom, Stir, Tross, Argyle
- Lothian inc. Edinburgh
- Perthshire
- Scottish Borders
Number
of
visits
21,053
Total
expenditure (£)
£5.54 million
Total
nights
spent
59,333
Average length
of stay
2.82
Average spend per
visit (£)
£263
Most popular time of year to visit?
July - September
Most popular reason to visit?
Holiday
Most popular amount of time to stay?
8-14 Nights
*Average length of stay calculated in nights.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Ireland is well known for its cultural customs and traditions including it's language, music, literature, art, food, folklore and passion for sports.
A large majority of Northern Ireland is agricultural land, and it boasts a long and wonderful coast. One of the most famous sights in Northern Ireland is the Giant's Causeway in County Antrim.
Take a look at a range of interesting statistics regarding Northern Ireland tourism below.
Number
of visits
445,604
Total
expenditure (£)
£214.47 mil
Total nights spent
2.38 million
Average length of stay
5.35
Average spend per visit (£)
£481
*Average length of stay calculated in nights.
What Were The Top 3 Reasons For Visiting Scotland?
Visiting Family/Relative
195,244
Holiday
119,637
Business
83,873
Most popular time of year to visit?
Other interesting statistics...
NORTH EAST
The North East of England covers Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, as well as the former county of Cleveland now in North Yorkshire.
This part of the country is well known for it's strong industrial background including the manufacture of plastics and nylon, iron, steel, salt and glass.
Take a look at a range of interesting statistics regarding The North East of England
including it's 4 counties.
Number
of visits
556,132
Total
expenditure (£)
£241.26 mil
Total nights spent
5.03 million
Average length of stay
9.04
Average spend per visit (£)
£434
What Were The Top 3 Reasons For Visiting The North East?
Visiting Family/Relative
237,467
Business
152,613
Holiday
138,296
Most popular time of year to visit?
Other interesting statistics...
- Durham
- NORTHUMBERLAND
- TEES VALLEY/CLEVELAND
- Tyne & Wear
Number
of
visits
369,600
Total
expenditure (£)
£153.53 mil
Total
nights
spent
2.94 million
Average length
of stay
7.94
Average spend per
visit (£)
£415
Most popular time of year to visit?
July - September
Most popular reason to visit?
Visiting Family/Relatives
Most popular amount of time to stay?
1-3 Nights
*Average length of stay calculated in nights.
NORTH WEST
The North West of England is the third-most populated region in the UK, after the South East and Greater London.
The well known features in the North West are the Lake District and the Cheshire Plain. The highest point in North West England (and the highest peak in England) is Scafell Pike,
Cumbria, at a height of 3,209 ft.
Take a look at a range of interesting statistics regarding The North West of England
including it's 5 counties.
Number
of
visits
102,472
Total
expenditure
(£)
£43.59 mil
Total
nights
spent
1.22 million
Average
length of
stay
11.91
Average spend per
visit (£)
£425
The Top 3 Reasons For Visiting The North West.
Visiting Family/Relative
237,467
Business
152,613
Holiday
138,296
Most popular time of year to visit?
Other interesting statistics...
- CHESHIRE
- cumbria
- greater manchester
- LANCASHIRE
- merseyside
Number
of
visits
910,772
Total
expenditure (£)
£378.89 mil
Total
nights
spent
4.08 million
Average length
of stay
4.48
Average spend per
visit (£)
£416
Most popular time of year to visit?
April - June
Most popular reason to visit?
Holiday
Most popular amount of time to stay?
1-3 Nights
*Average length of stay calculated in nights.
YORKSHIRE & THE HUMBER
Yorkshire and the Humber is one of nine official regions in England.
It comprises most of Yorkshire (South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, Hull, North Yorkshire and York), as well as North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire.
Take a look at a range of interesting statistics regarding Yorkshire & The Humber
including it's 6 counties.
Number
of
visits
1.34 million
Total
expenditure
(£)
£567.22 mil
Total
nights
spent
10.29 mil
Average
length
of stay
7.67
Average spend per
visit (£)
£423
The Top 3 Reasons For Visiting Yorkshire.
Visiting Family/Relative
528,569
Holiday
368,666
Business
364,495
Most popular time of year to visit?
Other interesting statistics...
- east yorkshire
- HULL UA
- NORTH YORKSHIRE
- NORTHERN LINCOLNSHIRE
- SOUTH YORKSHIRE
- WEST YORKSHIRE
Number
of
visits
492,697
Total
expenditure
(£)
£197.80 mil
Total
nights
spent
3.28 mil
Average
length
of stay
6.66
Average spend per
visit (£)
£401
Most popular time of year to visit?
July - September
Most popular reason to visit?
Visiting Family/Relatives
Most popular amount of time to stay?
1-3 Nights
*Average length of stay calculated in nights.
EAST MIDLANDS
The East Midlands is one of nine official regions of England. The eastern part of the
Midlands consists of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire (except North and North East Lincolnshire), Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland.
The East Midlands is home to large quantities of limestone and the famous Charnwood Forest is well known for it's levels of volcanic rock, estimated to be around 600 million years old.
Take a look at a range of interesting statistics regarding the East Midlands including it's 5 counties.
Number
of
visits
1.28 million
Total
expenditure
(£)
£443.62 mil
Total
nights
spent
9.8 mil
Average
length
of stay
7.65
Average spend per
visit (£)
£346
The Top 3 Reasons For Visiting The East Midlands.
Visiting Family/Relative
555,311
Business
442,418
Holiday
226,450
Most popular time of year to visit?
Other interesting statistics...
- derbyshire
- LEICESTERSHIRE
- LINCOLNSHIRE
- NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
- NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Number
of
visits
341,294
Total
expenditure
(£)
£125.15 mil
Total
nights
spent
3.01 mil
Average
length
of stay
8.81
Average spend per
visit (£)
£367
Most popular time of year to visit?
April - June
Most popular reason to visit?
Visiting Family/Relatives
Most popular amount of time to stay?
4-7 Nights
*Average length of stay calculated in nights.
WEST MIDLANDS
The West Midlands is a metropolitan county and city region in western England with a 2014 estimated population of 2,808,356, making it the second highest populated county in
England
West Midlands is an eclectic mix of town and country including Birmingham’s city
attractions, charming small towns and quaint villages full of character and open spaces
allowing visitors to get away from it all and enjoy the best of the scenic English countryside.
Take a look at a range of interesting statistics regarding the West Midlands including it's 4 counties.
Number
of
visits
2.32 million
Total
expenditure
(£)
£806.94 mil
Total
nights
spent
14.16 mil
Average
length
of stay
6.1
Average spend per
visit (£)
£348
The Top 3 Reasons For Visiting The West Midlands.
Business
916,038
Visiting Friends/Relatives
822,983
Holiday
496,937
Most popular time of year to visit?
Other interesting statistics...
- HEREFORD & WORCESTER
- SHROPSHIRE
- STAFFORDSHIRE
- WARWICKSHIRE
Number
of
visits
392,963
Total
expenditure
(£)
£145.01 mil
Total
nights
spent
2.46 mil
Average
length
of stay
6.26
Average spend per
visit (£)
£369
Most popular time of year to visit?
July - September
Most popular reason to visit?
Visiting Family/Relatives
Most popular amount of time to stay?
1-3 Nights
*Average length of stay calculated in nights.
EAST OF ENGLAND
The East of England is the most eastern region of England and indeed of the entire UK.
The area is historically a rural region of small capitals, market towns and small picturesque
villages. The character of the flattish landscape has been heavily influenced by the people that live on it transforming marshland into fertile farmland, and the ancient excavations that resulted in the waterways of Norfolk's Broads.
Take a look at a range of interesting statistics regarding the East of England including it's 6 counties.
Number
of
visits
2.41 million
Total
expenditure
(£)
£815.20 mil
Total
nights
spent
16.09 mil
Average
length
of stay
6.68
Average spend per
visit (£)
£339
The Top 3 Reasons For Visiting The East of England.
Visiting Friends/Relatives
1.09 million
Business
616,750
Holiday
537,487
Most popular time of year to visit?
Other interesting statistics...
- BEDFORDSHIRE
- CAMBRIDGESHIRE
- ESSEX
- HERTFORDSHIRE
- NORFOLK
- SUFFOLK
Number
of
visits
225,114
Total
expenditure
(£)
£63.57 mil
Total
nights
spent
1.51 mil
Average
length
of stay
6.73
Average spend per
visit (£)
£282
Most popular time of year to visit?
July - September
Most popular reason to visit?
Visiting Family/Relatives
Most popular amount of time to stay?
1-3 Nights
*Average length of stay calculated in nights.
LONDON
The capital city of London boasts a wealth of culture and history, did you know that 3000 languages are spoken throughout Greater London?
London is known for the London Eye, Big Ben & The Millennium Dome as well as being known for it's traditional big red buses, black cabs and endless amounts of pigeons.
Take a look at a range of interesting statistics regarding Greater London.
Number
of
visits
19.83 million
Total
expenditure
(£)
£13.55 bil
Total
nights
spent
114.02 mil
Average
length
of stay
5.75
Average spend per
visit (£)
£683
*Average length of stay calculated in nights.
The Top 3 Reasons For Visiting London.
Holiday
10.05 million
Visiting Friends/Relatives
4.99 million
Business
3.52 million
Most popular time of year to visit?
Other interesting statistics...
SOUTH EAST
South East England is the sunniest region in the UK.
It's entire section of coastline averages more than 1,600 sunshine hours per year and more than 7 hours per day during the summer months.
Take a look at a range of interesting statistics regarding the South East of England and the 9 counties.
Number
of
visits
5.32 million
Total
expenditure
(£)
£2.14 bil
Total
nights
spent
38.60 mil
Average
length
of stay
7.26
Average spend per
visit (£)
£402
The Top 3 Reasons For Visiting The South East.
Visiting Friends/Relatives
2.08 million
Holiday
1.62 million
Business
1.18 million
Most popular time of year to visit?
Other interesting statistics...
- BERKSHIRE
- BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
- EAST SUSSEX
- HAMPSHIRE
- ISLE OF WIGHT
- KENT
- OXFORDSHIRE
- SURREY
- WEST SUSSEX
Number
of
visits
646,990
Total
expenditure
(£)
£175.88 mil
Total
nights
spent
2.96 mil
Average
length
of stay
4.58
Average spend per
visit (£)
£272
Most popular time of year to visit?
July - September
Most popular reason to visit?
Visiting Family/Relatives
Most popular amount of time to stay?
1-3 Nights
*Average length of stay calculated in nights.
SOUTH WEST
The South West of England has the largest area of all regions reaching from Gloucestershire and Wiltshire to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Agriculture and tourism are the important industries of the region and mining of tin and copper were formerly crucial in Devon and Cornwall.
Take a look at a range of interesting statistics regarding the South West of England and the 7 counties.
Number
of
visits
2.58 million
Total
expenditure
(£)
£1.21 bil
Total
nights
spent
20.73 mil
Average
length
of stay
8.02
Average spend per
visit (£)
£466
The Top 3 Reasons For Visiting The South West.
Holiday
1.09 million
Visiting Family/Relatives
998,037
Business
392,151
Most popular time of year to visit?
Other interesting statistics...
- BRISTOL
- CORNWALL & SCILLIES
- DEVON
- DORSET
- GLOUCESTERSHIRE
- SOMERSET
- WILTSHIRE
Number
of
visits
314,591
Total
expenditure
(£)
£105.54 mil
Total
nights
spent
1.96 mil
Average
length
of stay
6.23
Average spend per
visit (£)
£335
Most popular time of year to visit?
July - September
Most popular reason to visit?
Holiday
Most popular amount of time to stay?
4-7 Nights
WALES
Wales, also known as Cymru, is one of the prettiest parts of the United Kingdom and also well-known for its rich history and culture.
Did you know, only 21% of the entire Welsh population of Wales can speak the native
language and it also believed that the country has more castles per square mile than
anywhere else in the entire world.
Take a look at a range of interesting statistics regarding the country of Wales along all of it's 22 counties.
Number
of
visits
1.08 million
Total
expenditure
(£)
£368.76 mil
Total
nights
spent
6.89 mil
Average
length
of stay
6.39
Average spend per
visit (£)
£342
The Top 3 Reasons For Visiting Wales.
Holiday
427,739
Visiting Family/Relatives
358,234
Business
163,797
Most popular time of year to visit?
Other interesting statistics...
- Anglesey
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Cerdigion
- Conwy
- Denbighshire
- Flintshire
- Gwynedd
- Merthyr Tudfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath & Port Talbot
- Newport
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taff
- Swansea
- Torfaen
- Vale Of Glamorgan
- Wrexham
Number
of
visits
33,859
Total
expenditure
(£)
£5.87 mil
Total
nights
spent
169,101
Average
length
of stay
4.99
Average spend per
visit (£)
£174
Most popular time of year to visit?
July - September
Most popular reason to visit?
Visiting Family/Relatives
Most popular amount of time to stay?
8-14 Nights
*Average length of stay calculated in nights.
An important note about the survey's methodology
Visitors who spend at least one night in the UK during their trip are asked where they stayed. This information can then be aggregated to look at the number of visits, nights, and spending in
different regions, cities, and towns.
- Information at the regional level is often based on very small sample sizes, and as such should be treated with extreme caution, and used solely as an indicative estimate. The International Passenger Survey is a national survey, and is not designed to be statistically robust at the regional level.
- Visitors often spend nights in more than one location during their trip. This means that when looking at ‘visits’ values for different regions will not sum to the national total – for example a visitor from the US making a single visit to the UK could be counted as making a ‘staying visit’ to London, to Edinburgh and to Chester.
- The data includes a ‘Total UK’ category, representing the true national total for visits.
- ‘Double counting’ is not an issue when looking at visitor nights or spending.
- No information is recorded about where visitors arriving/departing the UK on the same day travel during their trip, nor is information recorded about where ‘staying visitors’ go for ‘day trips’. If a visitor from France spends four nights in Edinburgh they may take a day trip to St Andrews and another to Stirling, but this information will not be recorded in the International Passenger Survey.
So, which region is contributing most financially? Does the British weather play a part? Who has seen the biggest increase in visitors and why? All of these questions will be answered in our visual right here.
