Martyn Jones

Labour Party | Clwyd South

MP Welcomes Latest Statistics On Overseas Visitors

Senior Labour Backbencher, MARTYN JONES MP (Clwyd South) has welcomed new figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) that reported a 10% (ten percent) rise in visits to the UK by overseas residents over the last year.

• From April 2004-2005, 28.4 million overseas residents visited the UK, 2.6 million more than in April 2003-2004
• The greatest increase in foreign visitors came from Western European countries, with a 9% (nine percent) rise from 16.9 million visitors in 2003-2004, to 18.4 million in 2004- 2005

The release of these statistics reflects the ongoing recovery of the UK tourism trade after the dramatic decline experienced in 2001.

The detrimental effects of both Foot and Mouth Disease and the terror attacks in New York (both in 2001), resulted in a massive 9.1% decline in visitor numbers in the aftermath.

The findings of the Office of National Statistics demonstrate that in 2005 the world is again embracing travel, both to the UK and abroad.

British tourists are taking advantage of the strength of the pound compared to the relatively weak dollar, as travel to the United States has increased by 16% (sixteen percent) to 5 million, whilst travel to other international destinations has risen to 23% (twenty three percent).

Commenting on the news, Martyn Jones MP said:

“These figures are very encouraging indeed, and they show that the UK tourist industry has stabilised and is now flourishing. This is reflected in the beautiful town of Llangollen in my North Wales constituency, where tourism has notably increased. It is to be hoped this will mean increased visitor numbers attending the forthcoming International Eisteddfod in the Llangollen between 5th and 10th of July.”