London accounted for more than half the visits overseas tourists made to the UK last year, according to latest figures.
Of the 31 million trips foreign residents took to the UK in 2012, a total of 15.46 million were to London, statistics from Visit Britain showed.
Edinburgh was the second most visited destination, with more than 1.25 million visits, with Manchester third (932,000), Birmingham fourth (713,000) and Liverpool fifth (550,000).
Some UK destinations experienced particularly good times in 2012, with Bournemouth receiving 178,000 visits – 38 per cent up on 2011.
National Statistics Office figures show that the UK is consistently the second most visited destination for Maltese tourists after Italy.
Visits to Britain increased last year from the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China), with Scotland having 30 per cent more BRIC visits, including a 54 per cent rise to Glasgow.
Wales welcomed 18 per cent more visits from BRIC countries and south-west England had a 12 per cent rise in BRIC visitors.
Visit Britain communications director Patricia Yates said: “Last year we welcomed 31 million overseas visitors and hope to attract one million more in 2013.
“We’re particularly encouraged by the continued strong growth from the influential BRIC markets and their desire to visit locations across the UK.”
She went on: “2012 has certainly helped change the world’s perceptions of Britain, and there is real potential for us to attract 40 million international visitors a year by 2020, an achievement which will mean more visitors are travelling to London and beyond.”
UK Tourism Minister Hugh Robertson said: “We showcased the very best of Britain last year, encouraging overseas visitors to come and see for themselves what our great country has to offer.
“I am encouraged that destinations across Britain have seen visitor numbers rise and we will do all we can to keep up that momentum.”
Top 10 most visited British cities in 2012
London: 15,461,000 visitors
Edinburgh: 1,256,000 visitors
Manchester: 932,000 visitors
Birmingham: 713,000 visitors
Liverpool: 550,000 visitors
Glasgow: 521,000 visitors
Oxford: 430,000 visitors
Cambridge: 398,000 visitors
Bristol: 395,000 visitors
Brighton and Hove: 345,000 visitors