More than 5.2 million people visited London between July and September 2015, a 5.9 percent increase over the same period in 2014, according to data from the Office for National Statistics International Passenger Survey (IPS).
According to London & Partners, London has seen a 22.5 percent increase in the number of international trips to the city between 2009 and 2014. Concurrently, the United Kingdom say 10.5 million international visits between July and September 2015, an increase of 4.7 percent over 2014.
“London is the best big city on the planet,” Mayor of London Boris Johnson said in a news release. “We really know how to roll out the red carpet and put on a show for the millions of visitors who flock here year after year.
“Only last week, Lumiere London, the city’s biggest-ever light festival, gave over a million people an unforgettable experience in the West End and King’s Cross,” Johnson added. “With another exciting programme of events planned this year, as well as our unbeatable cultural and other attractions, we are looking forward to welcoming even more tourists in the months ahead.”
The number of international visits to London has risen over the past five years. 2014 marked a record-breaking year for London with 17.4 million people visiting the city, and VisitBritain forecast the number of overseas visitors travelling to the UK in 2016 will increase by 3.8 percent.
“Today’s visitor numbers show that London is more attractive than ever,” Gordon Innes, CEO of London & Partners, said in a news release. “The tourism industry is a key pillar of the capital’s economy providing great employment opportunities, including many entry level jobs, for Londoners and investment right across the city. That’s why we work tirelessly with our partners, museums, attractions, hotels, restaurants and many more to ensure that London remains the destination city of choice for overseas visitors.”
