According to the UK National Statistics, during June to August 2006, there were 7.7 million visits to the UK by overseas residents - an increase of 5% compared to the same period on the previous year. Spending increased by 8% compared to the same period on the previous year, to £3.8 billion.

Visits overseas by UK residents showed an increase of 2% when compared to the same period an year earlier. Spending increased 6% to £8.3 billion.

Visits by overseas residents to the UK rose by 6% during the 12 months ending August 2006, from 29.5 million to 31.2 million. The number of visits from North American residents increased by 4% (to 4.4 million), from residents of Western Europe by 5% (to 20 million) and from other parts of the world by 10% (to 6.8 million).

In the same 12 month period, visits abroad by UK residents rose by 3% from 65.8 million to 67.7 million. Visits to North America decreased by 6% (to 4.7 million). However, visits to Western Europe increased by 2% (to 50.7 million) and to other parts of the world by 13% (to 12.4 million).