New figures have reported an increase in the number of inbound visitor numbers between July and September, compared with the same period last year.

According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), there was a 1 per cent growth to 7.4 million in the three-month period, although expenditure by visitors fell by 3 per cent to £4.1bn. Meanwhile, the number of UK residents travelling abroad was up by 3 per cent to 14.1 million, with foreign expenditure increasing by 1 per cent to £7.9bn.

Mike Saul, head of hospitality and leisure at Barclays Corporate, warned that a 10 per cent drop in the number of visitors from the US could mitigate any growth in the inbound market, as well as a "stark contrast" between London and the regions. "Incoming visitors are more likely to be European travellers on London shopping trips benefiting from favourable exchange rates than the long staying, high paying visitor from further abroad," he said.

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