There were 72.8 million visits overseas by UK residents in 2017 (see Figure 1), an increase of 3% compared with 2016 and the highest figure recorded. The number of visits has increased each year since 2012.
There were 39.2 million visits by overseas residents to the UK in 2017 (see Figure 1), 4% more than in 2016 and the highest figure recorded. The number of visits has increased each year since 2010. Over a longer period, there has been a general upward trend in the number of visits to the UK. In 1997 there were 25.5 million visits.
Figure 1: Visits to and from the UK, 1997 to 2017
UK residents spent £44.8 billion on visits abroad in 2017, which was 2% more than in 2016 (see Figure 2). The increase in spending was similar to the increase in the number of visits (3%).
Overseas residents spent £24.5 billion on visits to the UK in 2017, an increase of 9% compared with 2016 (see Figure 2). The increase in spending was larger than the increase in the number of visits (4%).
The trends in spending by UK visitors abroad and overseas visitors to the UK broadly reflect the trends in visits.
Figure 2: Spending on visits to and from the UK, 1997 to 2017
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