National tourism agency VisitBritain has welcomed a "record" year for UK tourism after it reported a 3 per cent growth in the number of overseas residents coming to the UK in 2011.

Inbound arrivals figures for December were up 2 per cent on the same period in 2010, which ensured a positive end to a year in which 30.6 million people visited the UK.

VisitBritain also saw visitor expenditure increase 5 per cent increase to GBP17.8bn, equating to an average spend of GBP580 per visit and 2 per cent up on the previous record.

Emerging markets such as Brazil (51 per cent), Russia (20 per cent) and China (32 per cent) contributed to the growth in UK tourism, although European markets remained broadly flat.

VisitBritain director of strategy and communications Patricia Yates said: "We want to make sure we capitalise on these gains by helping boost jobs across the country and create a lasting tourism legacy for many years to come.

"We are encouraged that the along with vital long-term growth markets helping our positive return, the number of visitors coming to Britain from North America has risen."

The announcement comes after culture secretary Jeremy Hunt launched the UK's largest-ever tourism promotion campaign in a number of key markets.

Details: www.visitbritain.org

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