London’s new mayor Sadiq Khan has welcomed new tourism record figures that the capital welcomed more than 30 million visitors at the city last year, drawn by global sporting events such as the Rugby World Cup and blockbuster exhibitions at its museums and galleries.
A record 31.5 million Great Britain residents and international tourists came to the city in 2015 – which is an increase of 20 per cent when compared to five years ago.
London keeps setting new tourism records. Every year since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games there has been an increase in the number of international visitors coming to the city.
Figures released on May 20 by the Office for National Statistics, International Passenger Survey, show there were 18.6 million international visits in 2015 compared to 17.4 million in 2014, a previous record year. (seven per cent increase)
Separate data from the Great Britain Tourism Survey carried out by UK tourism body VisitEngland reveals that GB residents made 12.9 million visits to London last year, another new record.
International and GB visitors also spent £15 billion on hotels, restaurants, shopping and attractions - an increase of 35 per cent compared to 2010
