A record number of tourists from overseas visited London in the first quarter of 2013 according to the latest International Passenger Survey (IPS) figures. The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has welcomed the news that 3.4 million visitors came to London in the first three months of this year, a 4.2% boost on the same period last year.
Expenditure over the same period reached £2.1billon, a significant 11.5% increase compared with the first quarter of last year. This means that London has experienced increased expenditure from overseas visitors for last seven quarters.
These figures illustrate that London as a visitor destination is more popular than ever following the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “Last year saw the best sights and scenes of the capital beamed to audiences of billions around the globe, helping to promote this city as an unbeatable holiday destination. These latest figures are a welcome indication of how London has benefited from this exposure and from its world-class offer for tourists.”
Julie Chappell, Director of Consumer Marketing and Digital Channels from London & Partners said: “To have increased expenditure and visitor numbers during the winter, our quietest tourism period, shows that London is still a hugely popular destination for tourists and that the capital is still benefiting from a post-Olympic bounce.
“Some Olympic cities have experienced post games hangovers but these numbers suggest that London is seeing a very positive post games momentum.
“During the Olympics we showcased our amazing city to the world and with ‘One Year On’ celebrations set to begin, London and Partners is working hard to capitalise on the Olympics legacy and grow visitor numbers this year and into the future.”
The announcement of the IPS figures today follows on from the release of the London Attractions Monitor which has seen a 13.8% increase in attendance at London’s tourist attractions in the period March to May 2013.
Attendance at the 33 attractions surveyed by London and Partners including the British Museum, London Eye, National Gallery, Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral increased by a 22% in May, a big rise after an 0.7% increase in April and an equally outstanding 22% rise in March.
Today’s figures are taken from Office for National Statistics International Passenger Survey and are provisional. Further analysis of the figures is available on the VisitBritain website.
