London Reports 6.5 Percent Increase in U.S. Tourists in 2014
January 22, 2015
U.S. visitors are traveling to London in increasing numbers. The U.S. market is London’s most valuable in terms of both visits and spend, and this is confirmed by the latest 2014 figures released by the United Kingdom government’s Office for National Statistics.
Visits from the U.S. totaled 1.6 million for the first nine months of 2014, an increase of 6.5 percent when compared to the same period in 2013. Spending by U.S. visitors increased to more than $1.8 billion during the first nine months of 2014, an increase of 7.5 percent when compared to the same period in 2013.
The UK’s Office of National Statistics also released new information showing that more international travelers are coming to London and the rest of Great Britain than ever before. During 2014, a record 16.8 million international visitors came to London, but the new figures put the city on course to top this number. International tourists made nearly 13.5 million trips to London in the first nine months of 2014, a six percent increase when compared to the same period in 2013.
America’s love of London has translated into the winning entry in the city’s international search for an Official Guest of Honor.
Californian Adaeze Uyanwah, a 24-year-old substitute teacher and freelance writer who dreams of “waking up at Buckingham Palace” outscored an international field of 10,000 people who each submitted a short film and 70-word description of their perfect day in London. Ms. Uyanwah will embark in February on a two-week trip to London to share once-in-a-lifetime experiences with some of the capital’s most famous residents.
Hosted by visitlondon.com, in partnership with VisitBritain and the UK Government’s GREAT Britain campaign, Adaeze will:
- Visit the Science Museum with renowned physicist Professor Stephen Hawking;
Have afternoon tea at Lord’s Cricket Ground with Downton Abbey’s butler Carson — actor Jim Carter; - Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Houses of Parliament with Speaker of the House of Commons;
- Open Tower Bridge, the most famous bridge in the world;
- Have a meal cooked by Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton at his flagship restaurant, Pollen Street Social;
- Be taken on a tour of the Royal Opera House by world-famous singer and conductor, Plácido Domingo and British ballerina and Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell;
- Take a VIP tour with former tennis star Tim Henman of the All England Tennis Club, which hosts The Wimbledon Championships.
To find out more go to www.visitlondon.com/guest or follow Adaeze’s journey live @www.londonguest.