There was a dip in visits to and from the UK in April, when air travel was severely affected by the ash cloud from the volcanic eruption in Iceland.
Compared with April 2009, the seasonally adjusted number of visits to the UK by overseas residents was down 10 per cent, and visits abroad by UK residents down 16 per cent. This follows year-on-year falls of 1 per cent and 10 per cent respectively in the months January to March 2010. The decline affected visits to and from all regions of the world, and all types of visits.
In February 2010 to April 2010, the seasonally adjusted number of visits by overseas residents to the UK decreased by 5 per cent to 7.1 million, when compared with the previous three months. Associated spending by overseas residents on visits to the UK decreased by 5 per cent to £3.8 billion. Over the same period, the seasonally adjusted number of visits abroad by UK residents decreased by 2 per cent to 13.2 million, while associated spending increased by 2 per cent to £7.6 billion.
During the 12 months to April 2010, the number of visits by overseas residents to the UK decreased by 5 per cent when compared with the 12 months to April 2009, from 30.8 million to 29.4 million - a drop of 1.4 million. Visits for business reasons fell 9 per cent while visits to friends or relatives fell 8 per cent, but holiday visits remained broadly the same.
In the 12-month period to April 2010, the number of visits abroad by UK residents decreased by 13 per cent when compared with the 12 months to April 2009, from 65.3 to 56.5 million - a drop of 8.8 million. Visits for business reasons fell 20 per cent and for holidays 14 per cent. Visits to friends or relatives dropped 7 per cent.