Most tourists to UK repeat visits – statistics

More than three in four overseas residents who toured the UK last year were on repeat visits, it was revealed.

The statistics suggested that those choosing the 2012 London Olympics for their visit to the UK may well come back again, the VisitBritain organisation said.

Official figures showed that 77 per cent of overseas tourists who came to the UK in 2009 had visited at least once in the previous 10 years.

Based on responses from 50,000 overseas visitors, the figures revealed:

• Travellers from Luxembourg are the most loyal to Britain, with 96 per cent of those who visited the UK last year having been before in the previous 10 years;

• Residents of the Republic of Ireland are the second most loyal, with 95 per cent, followed by the United Arab Emirates (92 per cent);

• Travellers who are least likely to be return visitors are those from Chile and Taiwan, only 33 per cent of whom have visited the country before, and Argentina on 34 per cent;

• The bulk of holidaymakers to Britain come from France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Germany and Holland;

• 59 per cent of holiday visitors from France and 56 per cent from Germany are “repeaters”.

VisitBritain’s strategy and communications director Patricia Yates said: “These figures are very encouraging considering the number of worldwide destinations available to overseas travellers, and the fierce competition for overseas visitors.

“It is an important sign that Britain is to generate a sustained uplift in tourism after the Olympics.”